Rissa’s POV

I woke to silence. Not comfort. Not peace. The kind that feels like a held breath.

Like the world paused and asked me to listen.

Mark sat a little ways off, head lowered, elbows braced on his knees, watching the treeline like he had done it all night. Or like he had not slept at all.

Guilt pressed at me immediately.

After everything he had done to protect me, I had left him drowning in doubt. His loyalty was the kind that did not ask for permission. It just existed, solid and ...