Alexander:
I had ruled territories.
Commanded men who would die on my word.
Built walls, borders, systems meant to protect thousands.
And none of that prepared me for this.
Alessia sat propped against the pillows, exhaustion etched into her face no matter how hard she tried to hide it. Hope slept nearby, small and perfect and terrifying all at once. Every time Alessia shifted, even slightly, I saw the tension flash through her body, and every time she thought I wasn’t looking, she winced.
She was still trying to be strong.
I hated that she thought she had to.
And I hated that she was, despite being as exhausted as she was, still trying to be stubborn about it.
I moved quietly, picking up the cup of water Sienna had left behind and bringing it to her lips.
“Drink,” I said gently,
