No one spoke. No one moved.
Then Charlie heard Viv's voice, quiet and awed. “Did we get it?”
“Got it,” the cinematographer confirmed. His voice shook slightly. “All cameras. Every angle.”
A cheer went up from the crew. They'd just captured something incredible.
Charlie watched the dust settle, watched the snow drift in the work lights—beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.
Ben appeared at her side. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She was. “That was...”
“Intense.”
“That's one word for it.” Charlie looked up at him. “Remind me never to take the mountains lightly.”
“Never take the mountains lightly,” he said mock-dutifully. Then, quieter, “You're shaking.”
She was. Adrenaline, probably. Or maybe just the cold finally getting through.
Ben pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her. “It's over. Everyone's safe.”
Charlie leaned into him for just a moment. Everyone else was cheering and giving each other high-fives. Viv and Rowan were safe. Professional distance could wait another thirty seconds.
“Yeah,” she said. “Everyone's fine.”
The crew started breakingdown equipment, voices echoing in the cold air. Viv pulled Charlie aside, away from the main group toward where half a dozen snowmobiles were parked.
“Can we talk security for the next scene?” Viv asked as she took out her canister of O2. But her expression wasn't all business. She was glowing.
“Of course.” Charlie scanned the area automatically. “What's the setup?”
Viv inhaled from her canister, then put it away in the front pocket of her puffer jacket. “Caiden’s ‘You’ve always been the true king’ speech to Aldric.”
Charlie smiled. That was one of the most quoted passages from the books. “It’s going to be a tearjerker.”
“That’s the hope. And it’s why I want to get up there with Duke and Rowan ahead of the crew for a final rehearsal to make sure they nail it. Can we do just the four of us on snowmobiles—you, me, Rowan, and Duke?”
Charlie nodded. “As long as CDOT clears it.”
“There's a flat area CDOT set up for us and just declared it safe. We’ll use that.” Viv hesitated, then smiled. “Can I tell you something?”
Charlie’s nerves prickled. “Sure.”
Viv took off her glove and held out her left hand. A simple platinum band with a small diamond caught the light. “Rowan proposed last week.”
Charlie felt her face break into a genuine smile. “Viv, that's wonderful. Congratulations.”
“We're announcing it tomorrow, after filming wraps.” Viv's eyes were bright. “I wanted you to know first. You and Shane have been... well, you kept us safe when things were bad.”
“I'm really happy for you both.” Charlie meant it. After everything—the joust, the threats, the chaos—they deserved this. “How are things with Duke? It seems better.” Malcom McCoy had said it was in the briefing he gave Charlie when he turned Viv back over to her, but Charlie wanted to hear it from her directly.
“So much better.” Viv's relief was palpable. “Ever since he landed the lead forFamily of Serpents, the whole dynamic’s shifted. Duke wouldn't have been able to take the role if I hadn't killed off Caiden—it's a huge opportunity for him. Big budget,multi-season deal.” She grinned and winked. “But if you ask me, I think he’s doing it for the action figure.”
Charlie laughed. “That's great.”
“It is. The fans have gotten less salty since he talked about how happy he was getting the part. He even thanked me.” Viv laughed. “Oh,andhe's dating his new costar.” Viv laughed. “Rowan and I are engaged. Duke’s moving on, no hard feelings—well, maybe a few. Everyone's getting what they want. It's like the universe finally aligned.”
