Chapter 34

Olivia Martins

The breeze tugged at the hem of my shirt as we made our way toward the sleek black SUV waiting at the edge of the clearing. My heart thudded with every step, unsure if it was nerves or something deeper settling beneath my skin. Caspian walked beside me, silent but solid, his presence grounding even when everything inside me felt like it was shifting.

Then I saw her.

“Victoria?” I blinked, stopping in my tracks. She was standing by the car—duffel bag slung over one shoulder, backpack at her feet, arms crossed with that familiar look of quiet determination stamped on her face.

She smiled. “Did you really think I’d let my best friend travel to the other side of the country without me?”

Emotion clogged my throat. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. A laugh slipped through my lips instead, shaky and raw, and then she was in my arms.

We held each other tightly, tears slipping freely now, soaking into the fabric of her hoodie a