Chapter 106

Netya stared at the sun as it dipped below the horizon. There was one thing she could do. One thing that would wrench her heart away from the place it belonged, perhaps never to return. She tried to forget it, but it burned in the back of her mind, filling her with guilt that only grew stronger the harder she pushed it away. If she had the chance to save lives, was it worth the price of her own happiness?

She thought of the selflessness Caspian had shown in putting his own feelings aside to let her be with Khelt, or how Adel had taken the burden of such dark magic upon herself when she helped Essie lose her child. Khelt, too, bore the weight of so many lives on his shoulders day after day. They were brave, noble people. Was she not one, too?

She tucked herself in close against Caspian’s chest, coaxing him down atop her with gentle kisses. She wanted to savor the evening while it was still bright. They had not been together for long, yet already she could barely stand the