Caroline stood at the edge of the rebel camp, watching as the stolen supplies were divided among the soldiers.
Caelan appeared beside her, quiet for a long moment.
Then—
"You didn’t hesitate."
Caroline’s jaw tightened.
"I couldn’t."
Caelan’s silver eyes studied her.
"Does it hurt?" he asked softly.
Caroline swallowed.
Yes.
Yes, it hurt.
Because Ezra wasn’t just another enemy.
He was a piece of her past.
A piece of her that she had to tear away in order to survive.
Caroline exhaled.
"It doesn’t matter," she murmured.
Caelan nodded.
Then—
He held out his hand.
Caroline hesitated only for a second.
Then—she took it.
And just like that—
She stopped looking back.
Because there was only one way forward now.
Straight to war.
The fire crackled low, the scent of smoke thick
