The royal commander shoved Edward into the cell with a heavy push. The impact forced him forward, his boots scraping against the cold stone floor.
Edward barely resisted.
His attention was entirely fixed on the figure sitting quietly against the far wall.
"Aeris…"
It had been a while since he had last seen her. The memory surfaced unbidden—the day of his departure, when they had shared a rare, calm moment together. Quiet words, unspoken promises. A moment of peace that felt impossibly distant compared to their current situation.
The cell door slammed shut behind him with a metallic clang. Locks slid into place, one after another, echoing through the dungeon corridor. The commander lingered only a second longer before turning and leaving them alone.
Only then did Aeris move.
She rose quickly and crossed the short distance between them, wrapping her slender arms around Edward in a tight embrace, as if afraid he might disappear if she let go.
