The people of Caldris gathered in the capital square, eager for a spectacle. The platform was set, the guillotine gleaming under the sun.

Evelyne kept her head high as the guards led her forward.

Aldric stood beside his father, the king, his expression unreadable. The man she had once called her husband would now watch her die.

The executioner grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to her knees. The crowd murmured, some whispering prayers, others jeering.

The blade was raised.

Then, an arrow struck the executioner in the throat.

Chaos erupted.

More arrows rained down, striking guards with deadly precision. The people scattered, screaming. Evelyne gasped as a hooded figure leapt onto the platform, cutting through her chains with a single stroke of his dagger.

Alec.

She barely had time to react before he lifted her into his arms and leapt from the scaffold, dodging soldiers as they charged toward them.

They raced through the city streets, arrows whizzing past them. Soldiers gave chase, but Alec knew these streets too well. Within moments, they were at the city's edge. He whistled sharply, and a black horse thundered toward them.

Alec swung Evelyne onto the saddle before mounting behind her. "Hold on."

With a single command, they galloped into the night, leaving the city of Caldris behind.

Evelyne clutched Alec's cloak, her heart pounding.

He had saved her. Again.

But this time, there would be no going back