SAGE

I barely had time to think before Adam reached me.

One moment I was standing in the center of the arena, the weight of an era lifted from my shoulders, the next I was in the air.

I squealed. Actually squealed.

He lifted me clean off the ground, arms firm around my waist, and spun me once—twice—again—until the world blurred into gold and stone and cheering faces.

“Adam!” I laughed breathlessly, clutching his shoulders.

When he finally set me down, I barely had a second to steady myself before his hands framed my face. His eyes—still bright with unshed tears and overwhelming pride—searched mine as if to confirm I...