"Love doesn’t fade; it bends under the weight of life, waiting for the right moment to stand tall again."
The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the dimly lit room. Outside, the castle grounds were quiet, the usual hum of activity muted by the late hour. I sat curled in one of the armchairs by the fire, a blanket draped over my lap, the warmth barely penetrating the chill I felt in my chest.
Months of strain had worn me thin. The battles fought, both on the battlefield and within myself, had left scars—some visible, some buried deep. And while Asher and I had stood side by side through it all, the distance between us had grown like a shadow neither of us dared to name.
A knock at the door broke through my thoughts, startling me. Before I could answer,
