Chapter 14 New Alliances

• The garden was hushed that evening, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves in a gentle breeze. Holvaster and I walked side by side along the gravel path, our footsteps the only companions. The moonlight painted silver highlights on the neatly trimmed hedges, and the air held a faint scent of blooming roses.
• After a few moments of comfortable silence, Holvaster stopped and turned to me. “Nadia,” he began, his voice low against the night, “we haven’t really talked about you, about who you are, beyond everything you’ve been through. I’d like to know more, if you’re willing to share.”
• I hesitated, a familiar tug in my chest. Memories I’d rather keep buried pressed at the edges of my mind. My heart pounded as I weighed my words. Finally, I looked down at a cluster of white roses before meeting his gaze.