They met in the open ground between the fortress and Hardin's camp, a stretch of trampled grass turned neutral by mutual, wary agreement. Jasmine walked out flanked by Xavier and Caleb, with Liora's archers stationed unseen along the tree line — a courtesy Liora had insisted upon without asking permission, and one Jasmine hadn't argued against. Her legs felt steadier than she'd expected, though the twins shifted restlessly with every step, as if they too could sense the weight of the ground she was walking toward.

Hardin waited at the center of the field alone, exactly as promised, though the sheer size of the camp behind him made the gesture...