Flames swallowed the wooden building that had once stood so firm. The people of Ashira worked together, trying to put out the fire—hauling water from every nearby house and carrying it in bowls and buckets.

Amid the chaos—shouts and sobs mixing in the smoke. No, the blaze did not devour human flesh tonight, but it burned to nothing the place that symbolized Ashira’s prosperity.

Ashira’s granary was barely a shape anymore. The fire was so fierce that villagers struggled to save the food stores and other valuables inside.

Elira jerked, her hands clenching hard. This was not the time to stand still. Her feet moved, following Raka, who had already rushed ahead to help douse the flames.

Even though Elira wasn’t sure their efforts would amount to anything, she still ran to the nearest well, drew water, and staggered back with it.

God. What exactly had happened? How could the granary—guarded tightly, especially on festival day—burn like this? Hadn’t Kael ordered his men to increase security?

Elira’s panicked thoughts collided with her moving feet and hands. The timbers that supported the building began to fall. One nearly struck her—if not for a hand that yanked her away.

“Elira!”

“Sena?” Elira cried.

“Where have you been? Everyone’s been looking for you and Raka.”

Elira bent over, trying to steady her breath. If not for Sena, she would have died like a fool.

“That isn’t important. Come on, help me draw water.”

“Elira,” Sena grabbed her wrist. “Can’t you see? The entire granary’s contents have already burned.”

Elira turned her gaze, staring at the storehouse now reduced to a charred skeleton. The flames began to subside, and slowly, the villagers stopped throwing water.

“Listen, Elira,” Sena said. “This fire— I heard Kael and the others suspect Raka.”

“What?!” Elira snapped her head around, glaring at Sena. “I was with Raka all day! And besides, he would never do this. Kael has gone too far.”

“I know, I feel the same. But—”

Their talk broke off when a fresh uproar rose from the middle of the crowd. Villagers were clustering at one point and starting to shout.

Elira automatically moved faster, pushing through until she reached the center. Sure enough—Raka was the focus now.

“I saw you talking to a stranger not far from the granary!” Kael barked. “You’ve planned this for a long time.”

“You were missing all morning—and right before the granary burned!” Kael’s men shouted in turn.

Elira clenched her fists in fury—especially when Raka only stood silent, offering no explanation at all.

“Stop,” Elira cut in before they could throw more accusations. “That isn’t true. I was with Raka the entire day.”

As expected, Kael speared her with a cold, hateful stare. Strangely, Elira wasn’t afraid at all.

She stepped forward, placing herself right beside Raka, who still stood motionless.

“We went to the forest for herbs this morning, took shelter because of the rain, and tonight we went to the Hinra River. I swear, Raka couldn’t have done this!”

Elira knew she shouldn’t have lied about the herbs. But she couldn’t possibly reveal her venture into Kamura today.

“Oh, really?” Kael stepped forward, jutting his chin with a taunting face. “While you were getting ready for the festival, did you know where he was?”

“Of course. Raka was at home. He—”

“I saw him slip out to meet a stranger in black with a covered face. Unfortunately, the man ran before I could catch him.”

The corner of Kael’s mouth curled into a sneer. “You think I don’t know you and Raka have been going in and out of the woods—past the border?”

Elira’s knees began to shake. No words could make it past her lips.

“If you insist on defending him, that means you’re conspiring with him! You’re betraying Ashira!”

What? Kael was truly out of his mind. How dare he jump to that? Heat burned behind Elira’s eyes—anger and fear tangled together.

“Tell them, Raka,” Elira’s voice rose; she was starting to fray. “Tell them you had nothing to do with this.”

Her words brought no answer. He stayed silent.

“Raka!”

“Stop wasting time,” Kael snapped. “If you’re so desperate to be with him, you can rot together in the cells!”

The villagers started shouting again. Elira’s legs trembled as Kael took a step forward without hesitation.

“Enough!” Raka’s shout made everyone fall silent and focus on him. “Elira has nothing to do with this. Don’t cross the line.”

“Cross the line? Then explain to us. Who did you meet before the festival?”

Raka clenched his jaw, fists tight. He met Kael’s accusing stare with one just as hard.

“He was from Kamura, wasn’t he?”

“Yes.”

The square erupted again. Curses—words Elira never wanted to hear—were hurled at Raka.

Elira’s eyes burned hotter, this time from the urge to cry. What was this? Hadn’t Raka promised not to betray her? Why hadn’t she known Raka met someone from Kamura before the festival night?

Was everything that happened at the Hinra only a fleeting happiness? Elira had thought there would be a way forward after this. But Raka had only made everything worse.

Worse still, right across from her, Baran just stood there in silence. Her father said nothing, gave no reaction.

“Seize him!” Kael shouted. “He must be put to death!”

No. This was all wrong. There had to be some mistake.

With shaking hands, Elira spread her arms, trying to block Kael as he started toward Raka. She had no defense to give; her body moved on its own to shield him.

“Move,” Kael yelled. “Don’t think I’ll spare you.”

Kael’s hand lifted to shove her, but Raka caught it in a flash. He clamped down on Kael’s wrist and flung it away.

When Kael and his men moved in to seize him, Raka only stood still. The eyes that had been burning like the granary’s coals softened for a heartbeat when they met Elira’s.

It’s all right. His lips formed the words she understood even without sound. Trust me.

Elira went rigid as they dragged Raka off like an animal. Some villagers even began throwing stones and sticks.

“Elira! Trust me!” Raka shouted as he was pulled farther and farther away, as if the stones cutting into him didn’t matter.

Elira tried to run after him, but Sena and the other girls held her back. This time, she couldn’t hold anything in. Her sobs and screams split the night, smothered by the crowd’s curses and rage.

Elira’s world felt shattered beyond repair. She had thought answers were finally coming. The last fraction of trust she had left was gone.

Elira dropped to her knees and pounded the ground in fury. What Raka had said in the cave had been true—this moment truly broke her into pieces until nothing remained.