The battle had barely ended, but Sofia couldn’t shake the feeling that the real war was just beginning. James, though gravely injured, had been stabilized—his body brought back from the brink of death by the medics who worked tirelessly around the clock. But no amount of healing could soothe the turmoil inside her.
She stood by his side now, her fingers lightly grazing his hand, still cold from the blood loss. The soft light of the lanterns around her cast long shadows, making the scene feel eerily quiet, almost as though time itself was holding its breath.
James’ breathing was shallow, and the cut across his abdomen had been wrapped, though it would take time to heal. Sofia felt a tightness in her chest as she looked at him, her heart aching. He had been the one constant in her life, th
