Celeste
Darien and I sat together by the dying fire. His arm was resting around me as I leaned back into his chest. The others had gone. The night was quiet. We had a lot left to say to each other and neither of us seemed to know where to start.
“When we get back, I’ll send a team to search for Barnabus.” Darien’s voice was low and tense. “There has to be something about Braum that he can uncover.” His arm tightened around me. “I don’t want you to be afraid. I’m going to protect you.”
I smiled and turned to look up at him. He was always going to say that. No matter what the prophecy demanded of me, no matter what I was born to do alone, Darien was always going to tell me he’d protect me. It was who he was.
“I’ll admit it. I am scared.” I held his eyes. “You could feel the evil pouring
