“Whatever happens.”
Warmth swept through her and coiled low in her belly.She wanted to stay there forever, but she knew, she could not.She moved away from him and turned toward the village.Toward home.
“I will find you again,” he said, and it sounded like a vow.
“You better.”And that was her vow.
As weariness pounded through her, she began the long descent home.
Caedon watched her vanish into the white silence, each step stealing a piece of him with her.
A piece of his heart.
When at last the mountain hid her from sight, he turned to the wind, letting it hear his vow to the only soul who would ever truly matter.
“No more bargains.No more cages.Only freedom.I am yours, Serena Windriver.Always.”
And the vow carried, echoing through snow and sky, binding him not to a curse, but to her.
