Chapter 20

The silence in the cell was suffocating.

Elara sat on the cold stone floor, her wrists still bound in iron, the weight of the chains biting into her skin. The faint flicker of candlelight cast shifting shadows across the damp walls, elongating her figure in distorted shapes. The scent of blood and earth clung to the air, a cruel reminder of what had just happened.

Leon was gone.

Her chest ached with the memory of him being dragged from the room, his furious shouts echoing down the corridor. The desperation in his voice had cut through her like a blade.

And she had been powerless to stop it.

She exhaled slowly, clenching her fists.

No.

She would not sit here and wait for Draven to break her.

Her mother hadn't fought an entire war just for Elara to kneel at the feet of a tyrant.

She was a Blackthorn.

And Blackthorns did not surrender.

A Ghost from the Past

Footsteps echoed down the hall.

Elara tensed, forcing herself into stillness as the door creaked open.

Soren stepped inside.

The flickering torchlight highlighted the sharp angles of his face, the shadows beneath his eyes. He looked... tired. As if this war had drained something from him.

Elara’s voice was ice. “Come to gloat?”

Soren exhaled, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “| came to make sure you were still breathing.”

Elara let out a bitter laugh. “How generous of you.

His jaw tightened. “Elara”

“You betrayed me.” The words came out sharper than she intended, cutting through the space between them like a knife.

Soren flinched, but he didn’t look away. “I did what i had to do.”

Elara’s fists curled. “That's what traitors always say. Silence stretched between them.

Then, softer, Soren said, “He's still alive.” Elara’s breath hitched.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, drowning out the weight of the room. “Where?”

Soren hesitated.

Elara lunged forward, the iron biting into her wrists. “Where is he, Soren?”

He exhaled, looking away. “The lower cells. Draven won't kill him yet. But he plans to break him.”

Elara’s stomach twisted.

Leon wouldn't break.

But Draven didn't need him to.

He just needed to hurt him enough to make her bend.

Soren shifted, something unreadable flickering in his expression. Then, quietly—too quietly—he said, “| can get you out.”

Elara stilled.

Her breath caught.

For a moment, all she could do was stare at him. “What?”

Soren exhaled sharply. “| made my choice when | sided with Draven. But | never wanted this.” He glanced toward the door. “i won't let him win.”

Elara narrowed her eyes. “Why should | trust you?”

Soren’s gaze darkened. “Because | still remember the girl who saved my life when we were kids.” His voice lowered. “And because, despite everything, | won't let Draven destroy you.”

Elara’s throat tightened.

Memories flickered—a younger version of Soren, bleeding in the snow, her mother’s voice in her ear telling her to choose mercy.

She had saved him once.

Now, he was trying to return the favor.

Elara swallowed hard. “Leon first.”

Soren nodded once. “Leon first.”

**The Rescue — A Gamble in the Dark**

The Blackthorn stronghold was carved deep into the cliffs, its underground chambers a maze of stone and shadow.

Elara moved quickly, following Soren through the dimly lit corridors. The scent of damp earth and burning torches filled the air, each step an echo against the silence.

Her heart pounded.

She didn't have time to think. Didn’t have time to fear.

Leon was waiting.

Finally, Soren stopped in front of a heavy iron door.

Elara’s breath came in sharp and uneven. Soren exhaled. “He's in there.” Elara didn’t wait.

She pushed past him, yanking the door open and froze.

Leon was shackled to the wall, his wrists bruised and raw, his shirt torn and stained with dried blood. His head hung forward, dark hair falling over his eyes, his body too still.

Elara’s stomach twisted violently.

She ran to him, her fingers brushing against his face. “Leon.”

No response.

Panic coiled tight in her chest. Then

A slow, shallow breath.

His lips parted slightly. “Took you... long enough.”

Relief rushed through her so fast it almost made her dizzy.

She let out a shaky breath. “You stubborn idiot.”

Leon’s lips tilted slightly, a ghost of a smirk. “You love that about me.”

Elara swallowed hard, her fingers lingering on his jaw a second too long.

Then she turned to Soren. “Get these chains off him.”

Soren didn't hesitate.

With a flick of his wrist, the iron bindings unlocked, and Leon collapsed forward.

Elara caught him instinctively, his weight pressing against her, solid and warm.

His breath ghosted against her neck, sending a sharp shiver through her.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Leon muttered, “Don't let go.” Elara tightened her grip. “| won't.”

She wouldn't ever.

**The Escape — Fire and Blood**

The alarm bells rang out too soon. Soren cursed under his breath. “They know.” Elara clenched her fists. Of course they did.

Leon pushed off her, unsteady but standing. “We need a way out.”

Soren exhaled sharply. “There's a tunnel leading to the cliffs. But we'll have to fight our way there.”

Leon’s smirk returned, dangerous and bloody. “Sounds like fun.”

Elara glared at him. “You can barely walk.” Leon winked. “I can still fight.”

Elara wanted to murder him.

But there wasn't time.

Soren threw her a dagger. “Make it count.”

The next few minutes were a blur of steel and movement.

Guards rushed into the corridor, their blades flashing in the dim light. Elara moved like fire, her dagger finding weak points, her body fluid and sharp.

Leon fought beside her, weaker than usual but still lethal, his movements precise.

Soren covered their backs, leading them toward the tunnels.

By the time they reached the exit, smoke filled the halls, torches burning too bright.

Elara didn’t look back. She grabbed Leon's wrist and ran.

The cold wind hit them as they emerged onto the cliffs, the valley stretching endlessly below.

Freedom.

Elara’s breath came in sharp and fast, her heart hammering.

Then.

Leon grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him, his grip warm and solid.

His breath fanned against her skin as he murmured

“You came for me.”

Elara swallowed. “Of course I did.”

Leon's fingers tightened around hers.

For a moment, the world faded—just the two of them, the night air wrapping around them like a secret.

Then Soren shoved them forward.

“Move,” he snapped. “Before they kill us.”

Elara smirked. “| thought you said you weren't on our side.”

Soren sighed. “I changed my mind.” Then they ran.

And behind them, the Blackthorn stronghold burned.