The west tower had long been abandoned—too high, too narrow, too forgotten. Midnight found me at its base, the wind clawing at my cloak.
No lights. No guards.
Only footsteps above.
I ascended slowly. Stone by stone, echo by echo.
He stood by the broken window, silhouetted against moonlight.
"You came."
"I always do—when people try to burn me."
He turned. No crown. No guards. Only eyes sharper than I remembered.
"You think I betrayed you."
"You didn't even hesitate."
"I was barely twenty, Elira. I didn't know what to say or do. I still don't."
"Then don't expect me to be forgiving."
A long silence. The wind screamed.
"You're being targeted again," he said.
I let out a bitter laugh. "You say that like you've seen it happen before."
"I haven't. But this time, I won't stand by."
For the first time, I paused.
"Then help me. Publicly."
"I can't."
"Then what good are you?"
"Reina's allies reach into the palace. One wrong move, and I lose everything."
I stared at him.
"You already lost me."