DORIAN POV
The oil lamp inside the tent flickered softly, stirred by the wind slipping through a small opening in the canvas. Outside, everything was quiet, but that calm did nothing to settle the chaos boiling in my chest. I stared at the liquid inside the small vial in my hand, its surface cold, still, and controlled.
Exactly how I was supposed to be.
Across from me, Reeve sat on the edge of the cot. He had already changed into clean, neat, and composed clothes. But the Sword Bearer’s scent still clung to his skin like a stain I couldn’t erase.
Without realizing it, my hand curled into a fist inside my robe pocket, something bitter gnawing at the walls of my chest.
“Drink this,” I ordered flatly, holding out the vial. “This dose is stronger than usual. If you want to stay alive a
