Naomi’s Pov;

The ride back to the base was quiet.

Cassian didn’t say a word the whole drive. He kept his eyes on the road, jaw tight, fingers tapping once against the steering wheel every few minutes.

I didn’t ask questions. Not yet.

The world outside passed in shades of gray and gold, the sun trying to break through the clouds but never quite making it. It felt like us, light always trying to reach something it couldn’t.

When we pulled into the northern base, Mara and Rubio were already waiting by the gates. One look at Cassian’s face and they didn’t say a thing.

He got out first and...