Ember Frost’s POV

"Sorry, Miss, he's not here. He took some time off and went home."

"He took leave?" I blinked in surprise.

"Yes, Miss. The guards at the checkpoint said Sir Orion should be back later this afternoon."

"I see. Thank you."

The moment I heard Orion wasn’t in barracks, all the confidence I had built up started to crumble.

“Don’t you dare back out now!” Juniper snapped sharply in my head. “I mean it—you’re not allowed to retreat!”

“But you heard him,” ...