Serena lowered her gaze, bashful and tear-struck. The bundle pressed against her like a boulder not because it was heavy but because of what it represented. Thankfulness clamped onto her breast until she thought she would break. She whispered, her voice barely audible, "Thank you."
His friend smiled softly, though his voice trembled with feelings. "Do not thank me for this. It is nothing compared to what you have suffered."
Before Serena could even react, the crunch of boots on the ground echoed loudly in the courtyard. The noise grew, rhythmic, like a brewing storm. She turned to face it, her heart sinking.
Killian's guards came in formation, their armor shining with morning light. Their faces were stern, their movements precise. They did not look at Serena but directly at her friend.
