“He saved my life, Gabriel.”
He stared at her—mud streaked across her tunic, eyes burning with unguarded tears. For a moment he said nothing, then his jaw tightened and he moved aside.
“Keep his head lifted. I’ll get his cuirass off him.”
She leaned forward, slipping beneath Viktor’s weight to steady his head.
The laces tangled, refusing to give.
Gabriel cursed under his breath, drew Viktor’s knife, and sliced through until the leather breastplate fell aside.
Viktor shuddered, dragging in two shallow breaths.
“Don’t take your eyes from him,” Gabriel warned, setting the knife aside.
“If he stirs, sit him up—never flat. I’ll be back.”
He moved to the tent flap, pausing a moment before stepping into the dark.
Left alone, Amerei gathered Viktor’s head into her arms, fingers combing gently through sweat-damp hair.
Her gaze caught the faint ink of a raven’s wing beneath his heart, and her breath stilled—a mark so intimate, so hidden.
“Captain Seraphim,” she whispered, voice trembling as she bent close.
His head lolled against her palm.
“Viktor…”
His chest shuddered, breaths uneven, skin clammy beneath her touch.
She pressed her forehead to his temple, tears slipping free.
“Please, come back to me,” she breathed—startled by the realization she had never spoken such words to anyone before, least of all to a man.
Gabriel returned with basins, herbs, and towels.
“Your father’s sent for you,” he rasped. “And he’s not going to find you here.”
“Let me stay until he wakes,” she whispered, eyes never leaving Viktor.
Gabriel sighed, tossing a towel over his shoulder.
“Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—this isn’t the first time I’ve seen him like this.”
He cracked herbs, bitter smoke curling.
Viktor twitched, eyes fluttering open.
Relief swept Amerei. Her breath caught as tears threatened again.
Gabriel pressed a cup of broth into her hand.
“Feed him. Slowly.”
She shifted closer, steadying Viktor against her as she touched the rim to his lips. His lashes fluttered, throat working as he swallowed.
Her gaze drifted again to the raven’s wing inked along his ribs. The sight rooted her—something in her chest answering the mark she didn’t yet understand.
