The battlefield had gone silent.
Only the sound of the wind remained.
Grace stood in the middle of the ruined courtyard, staring at the silver symbol that had appeared between her and Kael.
It was fading now.
Slowly.
But the connection between them remained.
She could feel his presence in a way she had never experienced before.
His exhaustion.
His confusion.
Even the faint worry hidden behind his calm expression.
Grace stepped away.
Kael noticed immediately.
"Grace."
"Don't."
He stopped.
She looked at him.
"Is this what the bond was supposed to feel like?"
Kael didn't answer.
"I thought you rejected me."
"I did."
His voice was quiet.
"And I regret it."
Grace looked away.
"Regret doesn't erase what happened."
"I know."
Those three words carried more weight than any
