The road ahead stretched endlessly, winding through forests untouched by fire, rivers untainted by blood.
Caroline rode in silence, the steady rhythm of her horse’s hooves against the dirt grounding her.
No war.
No throne.
No enemies lurking in the shadows.
And yet—she still didn’t know how to breathe without a battle to fight.
Ezra rode beside her, golden eyes half-lidded, as if the weight of freedom wasn’t as heavy on his shoulders as it was on hers.
"You look miserable."
Caroline shot him a glare.
"I look fine."
Ezra smirked. "That’s worse."
She huffed, rolling her shoulders.
"You wouldn’t understand."
Ezra hummed, watching her from the corner of his eye. "Try me."
Caroline exhaled sharply, because maybe he deserved to know.
"I’ve never been anything but a soldier." Her v
