"Are you surrendering?"
Lorraine's voice trembled; not from fear, but from fury barely restrained. "After showing yourself to them as the Dragon's heir?"
She wanted to follow him anywhere. But not like this. Not fleeing like cowards, not turning their backs when fire and fate had already declared them chosen. They deserved more. He deserved more.
Leroy exhaled slowly, his shoulders sinking. He understood her anger. And knowing his wife, silence would only wound her further. He had promised himself he would never let her feel alone in his choices again.
He turned toward her, his tone low but steady. "I'm not surrendering," he said. "And I didn't do that to reveal myself— or to claim the throne."
Lorraine's eyes narrowed, but her rage began to soften. There was something raw, unguarded in his face, something that made her listen.
