Marcus's Point of view

I had witnessed combat. I had witnessed blood spilling, bones breaking, and men breaking in ways that made even the strongest stomachs turn. My own decisions had become like armor to me, and I could feel their weight pressing down on me.

However, I felt defenseless now that I was in front of Lily.

Due to the residual effects of the incident, the packhouse was quieter than usual. The majority of the fighters were alert, bolstering defenses and maintaining vigilance. But the tension was different here, in this dark corridor outside her chamber.

Since last night, she had hardly given me a glance. Not when Lucas...