Ismerie glanced at him, calm, faintly amused, utterly untroubled.
That clear, distant gaze held Leontis still for a heartbeat.
His fingers knotted tight until the knuckles blanched, he knew he had no right to stand in her way. Yet he pressed on, voice rough with dread.
"Are you certain? If this fails… you will not walk away unharmed. These people have nothing left but you. If hope turns to ash, they will not care who you are."
"I know." Her tone was gentle, steady, unafraid. "I chose this. I will bear every cost."
Leontis drew himself up, jaw set. "Then do what you must. And if it goes ill..."
He said no more, but his vow was plain, he would burn the world down before he let harm touch her.
Then a sharp, cold voice cut through. "If you fail, you need not come down alive."
Ismerie
