Chapter 77

Chapter 77 Seraphina's POV Smoke still curled along the valley floor, rising like ghosts from the shattered remains of Cassian's supply line. Dawn was bleeding into the sky as we rode back toward our temporary outpost—no one spoke. There was no need. The mission had been a success. But success had a weight to it. We’d won that battle, yes. But there would be retaliation. Kaelos was waiting when we returned. He stood outside the command tent, arms folded across his chest, his jaw tight with the kind of worry he rarely let show. As I dismounted, his eyes locked on mine. "You said you'd be careful," he murmured. "I was." His eyes dropped to the blood on my cloak. "That yours?" "Some of it." He exhaled slowly, stepping closer. "You're not invincible, Seraphina." "No. But I’m necessary." We stood there for a moment, the early light painting gold over the battlefield that wasn’t quite cold yet. Then Kaelos brushed his fingers against mine, and I let him. Inside the tent, the war council had