His voice sent a shockwave of panic through her system. It swept over her, transporting her back to those fateful days, taking her back to the moments of utter devastation and betrayal she faced. With his voice, it was like she was there again – witnessing the death of nameless, faceless citizens in the Palace courtyard, the explosive flames that ripped through Killian, the steel blade that pierced her mother’s heart.
Arabella turned slowly to face him, swallowing the dry lump that had suddenly collected in her throat. Their eyes connected: brown on green again after all these months. His blonde hair had grown, now just past his chin, and a beard had begun to develop on his usually clean-shaven face. Despite the ruggedness, he looked better than the last time she had seen him, better tha
