The crowd had already left the square, leaving behind only the faint stench of iron and smoke. The execution was over. The Silent Executioner had done his work again; efficient, merciless, silent.

You lingered longer than you should have, your steps echoing in the empty courtyard. Then you saw him.

Alaric. Still standing by the block, steel mask catching the faint moonlight. But when his eyes met yours, he didn’t look away. Slowly, deliberately, he removed the mask.

Scarred skin. Tousled hair. A face no one was supposed to see. He stepped closer, closing the distance between you.

“Now that you’ve seen me…” his eyes burned into yours, something dark and possessive flickering there. “…I can’t let you walk away.”