“Dask, I might.”
Viktor wrapped his fingers around the cup, heat seeping into his palms. The first swallow tethered him straight to home—straight to mornings that felt farther away with each breath.
He stared into the dark liquid, the truth breaking clear.
“I’m not going home, am I?”
Silence lingered long enough for the question to sting.
Then Gabriel sighed.
“You’d better go see Storne.”
Viktor’s chest tightened.
He smoothed his mantle and turned for the door. For an instant, he imagined her waiting beyond it—then forced the thought away.
Gabriel plucked the cup from his hands, took a sip—and nearly spat it back. He shoved it at Viktor with a grimace.
“Dask, Viktor—how do you choke this down? Tastes like burned earth.”
Viktor only smiled, savoring the bitter heat.
“Mock it now. But when you’ve had too much ale, this is the only thing that’ll keep your head from splitting.”
Gabriel clapped his shoulder once more, sending him on his way.
* * *
At the stables, Viktor found Obsidian waiting in the first stall.
The stallion pressed his head against Viktor’s shoulder, and for a moment the ache in his chest eased.
He stroked the white star between his eyes, murmuring low—until a stablehand burst in, flustered.
“Careful, Captain—that’s our lady’s horse.”
The phrasing made Viktor pause.
Our lady?
He drew back, curiosity sparking.
But the boy was already tugging another lead rope forward.
“This one, sir. A blood bay—Aerdanian, like you.”
The mare stood tall and lean, legs built for distance, eyes bright with fire.
Viktor ran a hand along her neck, feeling the strength coiled beneath her skin. She shifted under his hand, nostrils flaring, as if sensing his unrest—another creature born to run, but never free.
He mounted, the bay carrying him swiftly through the maze of stone paths until the air opened. The ridge spread before him, narrow and windswept, the air sharp with pine and distance.
Commander Storne stood above the line of Sagittarii, watching arrows bite into distant targets, his face unreadable as shadow.
Viktor tightened his grip on the reins, the mare steady beneath him.
Somewhere behind his ribs, Amerei’s image lingered—the hush of her breath against his skin, the warmth of her careful embrace.
