They escaped — barely.
Now fugitives.
Now enemies of the kingdom.
Kaela looked at Ryven.
"You gave up everything."
Ryven smirked slightly.
"I didn't have much to lose."
Kaela stepped closer.
"But now you do."
Silence.
Tension.
Emotion.
Then—
Softly—
She held his hand.
And this time…
He didn't pull away.