Seth had left the forge behind, the echo of hammer and flame still buzzing in his mind, and made his way to the temporary administrative center — the beating heart of order among the chaos — where Patriarch Cain had set up his command.
He wasn't alone.
Lina walked at his side, clinging to his arm like a lovestruck teen from a tale told in spring. She had insisted on coming, and honestly, Seth couldn't bring himself to say no. Not to her.
Everyone already knew about them — after everything that had happened, after that wild proposal — but now, they were really together. No more vague glances. No more walking on the edge of maybe. Lina had taken the first step, brave and radiant, and Seth had answered with honesty.
They had chosen each other. Simply, quietly, sincerely.
Seth wasn't used to the way people stared now. Lina didn't seem to mind — she wore her affection like a badge of honor — but Seth, well, he was still getting used to the way eyes followed them.
