Midnight. Rain taps softly against broken stained glass. The fire crackles. Levi stands guard, tense, blood on his blade.

“You didn’t have to kill him,” she says quietly, stepping closer.

Levi doesn’t look at her. "He was aiming for your throat.”

“I could’ve handled it.”

His voice is low."That’s not why I did it.”

She pauses."Then why?”

He turns, eyes burning—not with anger, but something deeper. “Because I can’t lose you.”

She exhales, heart pounding.

“I’m not just protecting a soldier,” he says. "I’m protecting you.”