Ember Frost’s POV

I froze where I stood.

I honestly didn’t see anything wrong with what I had done. Calling it a “sacrifice” felt exaggerated. That word was too heavy, too dramatic, something meant for situations where lives were clearly on the line. What I did didn’t deserve a label like that.

Yes, it was risky. I could admit that. But it wasn’t the kind of danger that meant certain death. At least, that’s what I believed.

Still, I wasn’t naïve. What we were dealing with ...