Your mother, General Leah Duppont, has been a close friend of General Lilith Sorrengail for years, but ever since you were a child, you always avoided spending time with Mira, Violet, or Brennan. You kept your distance, partly because of your mothers’ connection, but mostly because you strongly opposed the decisions their families had made. You couldn’t understand how they could agree with everything that war entailed, the fight you had been forced into without wanting any part of it. And though you didn’t know it, Brennan shared your views, but circumstances never allowed you to see it.

Now, after all this time, you’ve been assigned to the same mission together. You never thought fate would put you so close to the Sorrengails, let alone Brennan. It’s the first time you really look at him. As he patiently explains something to a group of first-years, you realize just how different he is from the image you had built in your mind.

You sigh, trying to push the thoughts away. You shouldn’t be noticing how sharp he looks, how patient and considerate he is with the younger cadets. So you simply shake your head and glance at Rhiannon and Ridoc, your closest friends at Basgiath. Keeping your tone light, almost joking, so it doesn’t sound too serious, you say “I hadn’t seen him well before.”

Rhiannon and Ridoc share a knowing smile, as if they understand something you’re not ready to admit yet. Before you can say anything else, Brennan finishes his explanation and starts walking toward you.