The word left him in a whisper, light, but powerful enough to ripple through every soldier present.
She was the one they searched for.The reason every knight panicked.The reason their Duke nearly lost control.
And now she stood there, alive, though trembling.
Valerie lifted her head slowly, a weak cough escaping her lips as her gaze finally found Demian's.
"Help…" her voice cracked, barely audible.
Demian stopped just a step away from her, breath unsteady. He looked at her from head to toe, her drenched hair, her shaking hands, the soot on her cheeks.
Alive.
His jaw tightened, emotions clashing violently behind those crimson eyes, relief, fury, and fear all tangled into one storm.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the inevitable explosion of emotion.
Valerie coughed weakly, and the moment that faint sound reached him, Demian shot forward like an arrow loosed from its bow.
