ISOLDE

“Who is inside there?” I yelled, though my voice shook so bad it barely sounded like mine. My throat burned from holding back tears. “Come out now, before...”

The words froze as the door opened fully.

He stepped into view.

Finnian?

His tall frame filled the doorway, his shoulders drawn tight, his dark hair falling down to his neck. His eyes, goddess, they were red, wet, and tired.

Wait… what?

Did he cry?

“Isolde,” he called softly, and for a moment his voice ...