Chapter Five
Into Her Arms
Closer to the sun, closer to her.
The moon glowed with the proudness of one who had yesterday eclipsed the sun.
Viktor fixed his eyes on the dark horizon, steadying his breath against the tremor in his chest. The air tasted of ash and iron—remnants of the road behind.
Then he ran.
Blind into the night—every stride a tearing ache. His ribs burned like firebrands; pain surged through his legs until they numbed.
His body begged to collapse, but he only drove himself harder.
Memories blurred with each pounding step: Aerdania’s shores, his father’s porch, his brother’s laughter, the faces of his soldiers, the desert dog that had trailed him.
And through it all—her.
Amerei.
Shadows wavered at the edges of his sight.
He told himself it was only exhaustion—
until the ground began to shake beneath his feet.
A roan swept into view, mane flashing under moonlight.
And riding it—Amerei.
Her hair caught the silver light, her voice carrying his name.
“It’s Captain Seraphim!” she cried, wonder bright in her voice.
Laughter spilled after.
“He runs as fast a horse, Evander!”
Evander barked a sharp laugh, spurring the roan.
“Not like this one!”
Viktor forced the words out between gasps, each one tearing at his chest.
“Keep—going. Don’t—slow. Nearly—there.”
The gates of Sevrak loomed ahead, torches blazing.
Viktor watched as Amerei and Evander vanished beneath the arch, and only then did relief crack through him.
She was safe.
His pace faltered, slowing to a walk as Obsidian caught up behind him.
Trembling hands fumbled with his papers, though the guards waved him through regardless.
Inside, familiar eyes found him.
