JAYNAYAH

I thought Mace would make me wait.

I thought he would say tomorrow, or when I was stronger, or after the council decided what to do with the Blood Moon survivors. I was used to people hearing my wishes and turning them into something smaller, something easier for them to manage.

But Mace only looked at me for a long moment, his jaw tight, his hand still wrapped around mine.

Then he said, “Now?”

My throat tightened.

“If I wait,” I whispered, “I might never go.”

Something moved behind his eyes. Pain, maybe. Or understanding.

He nodded once.

“Then we go now.”

No argument. No command. No cage disguised...