“No.Perfect.In every way.”
I curled into him, wrapping myself in his arms, his shirt loose around my shoulders.
We lay there together in the hush of the meadow, the leaves whispering overhead.
I looked up at the sky—fading sunlight streaking gold through the branches.
“Tomorrow…” I whispered, “we’ll get to the garrison, won’t we?”
He nodded. “Most likely.”
I hesitated. My voice was smaller when I asked, “Will we be okay?”
The question hung between us like something fragile. Breakable.
Because now—I had something more to lose.
Chapter 22
Elira
Phoenix and I walked back to the room, hand in hand.
Slade was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He gave me a look—one brow raised, the barest flicker of heat behind his calm. It was enough to make me blush.
But Leo—
He didn’t look at me.
He was by the door, posture rigid, gaze fixed on a point somewhere over my shoulder. When he saw Phoenix, he flinched—just slightly—but enough. Something in his face dimmed. Something that used to be brightness.
“Leo—” I started.
He turned before I could finish. “It’s fine.”
“Leo,” I said again, softer this time.
He finally looked at me. And it hurt—the way his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“I get it,” he said lightly. Too lightly. “You made your choice.”
“That’s not—”
“It’s okay,” he said, cutting me off. “Really. You don’t owe me anything, Elle.”
Phoenix stood behind me, quiet. Still. Waiting for me.
Leo glanced at him, then back to me. His voice cracked a little.
“I just thought maybe… after everything—” He laughed, dry and broken. “Doesn’t matter.”
“It does matter,” I said. “You matter.”
“Not the way I wanted to,” he murmured, and this time, he didn’t smile at all. “But thanks.”
“Leo – “
He turned again—going to walk away.
