NOAH
Noah didn’t look up at first. His jaw feathered and he felt the weight and familiar ache start to burn in his chest. Muscles tightened and coiled around his lungs.
It was an easy decision, yet more difficult than he could put words to.
The soil crumbled quietly between his fingers as he freed the rose from the earth. Its roots were finer than they should be. He was careful of the thorns as he let it rest in his open palm. He could feel its power rising through his palms like a slow burn, one that felt so familiar.
Zavien’s voice struck without accusation. Noah stared at the flower in his hands and felt his stomach twist. He didn’t interrupt. Didn’t defend himself. Just listened.
Talyson’s face burned behind his eyes.
But for Zavien to have this much relief and hope built into one—the city was bleeding—had to be. He let out a long, slow breath.
“I know what this could do for him,” Noah said at last, voice low, steady. A quiet calm that came from sacrificing over and over and over to do the right thing.
He rose, gaze meeting Zavien’s. “I will go with you to cleanse the city.”
And when it was done, he’d find another way to save his friend.
He had to.
Alys would forgive him.
It was an easy decision, yet more difficult than he could put words to.
The soil crumbled quietly between his fingers as he freed the rose from the earth. Its roots were finer than they should be. He was careful of the thorns as he let it rest in his open palm. He could feel its power rising through his palms like a slow burn, one that felt so familiar.
Zavien’s voice struck without accusation. Noah stared at the flower in his hands and felt his stomach twist. He didn’t interrupt. Didn’t defend himself. Just listened.
Talyson’s face burned behind his eyes.
But for Zavien to have this much relief and hope built into one—the city was bleeding—had to be. He let out a long, slow breath.
“I know what this could do for him,” Noah said at last, voice low, steady. A quiet calm that came from sacrificing over and over and over to do the right thing.
He rose, gaze meeting Zavien’s. “I will go with you to cleanse the city.”
And when it was done, he’d find another way to save his friend.
He had to.
Alys would forgive him.
I'll follow you down through the eye of the storm
Don't worry I'll keep you warm
Don't worry I'll keep you warm
