"I'm not going back."
His arms tighten around me. "I won't let them take you."
"Good."
We fall silent.
Outside, I can hear the sounds of the fortress settling—guards calling watch changes, hammers ringing as repairs continue, the low murmur of soldiers in the barracks.
Normal sounds.
But everything's changed.
The Crown knows what I can do. They'll send more soldiers. More Inquisitors.
And eventually, they'll send something we can't fight.
But for now, wrapped in Vorak's arms, listening to his heartbeat—
For now, I'm safe.
For now, I'mhome.
"Sleep," Vorak murmurs, pressing a kiss to my hair. "I'll watch."
"You need to sleep too."
"Later." His hand strokes down my spine. "Right now, I just want to hold you."
I snuggle closer, already drifting.
"Vorak?"
"Mm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For choosing me back."
His arms tighten, and I feel him press another kiss to my hair.
"Always," he whispers.
I'm almost asleep when I hear it.
Distant. Echoing.
The sound of a horn.
My eyes snap open. Vorak goes rigid beneath me.
"What—" I start.
"Warning horn." His voice is grim. "Eastern approach."
We stare at each other for a heartbeat.
