*Rhys*

The first light of dawn hadn't yet broken over the horizon, but tension already hung thick in the air. I glanced at Saoirse, her silhouette framed by the gathering armies of Egoren, their armor glinting faintly in the early daylight. Her eyes, fierce and determined, met mine.

I reached out and ran the back of my knuckles across her cheek, needing a moment of tenderness before war took over.

“I love you, Saoirse.”

“I love you, too, Rhys. But ...