ELIZA’S POV
I didn’t wait for Derek. I couldn’t.
The weight in my chest was too heavy and the ache in my heart felt too loud. I needed to move, to walk off the edge of that battlefield and feel something else.
So, I went down the mountain alone. The cold wind bit at my face as I descended.
The camp came into view below.
I could see the tents glowing softly with lamplight. Soldiers scattered in small groups, some laughing, others silent. The air was thick with victory and exhaustion.
I walked past them all, ignoring the congratulations, the questions, the praise. I had nothing left to give.
I found Alexander in the command tent, standing over the war table.
Maps were spread across it, papers scattered. I could tell it was one of those stressful nights again. He loo
