As the last murmurs of conversation faded and the grand hall slowly emptied, Mara let out a long breath. The night had been a battle, but she had won.
Ethan stood beside her, his grip on her hand still firm, as though unwilling to let go even now. The warmth of his touch anchored her, steadying the whirlwind of emotions swirling in her chest, she stepped an inch away from him a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Well, that was dramatic."
Ethan chuckled, his dark eyes filled with something deeper than amusement, pride, admiration, and something dangerously close to longing. "You handled it like a queen."
Mara lifted an eyebrow. "Like a Shepherd." His lips twitched. "That too."
For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of the night settling between them. Ethan had seen her fight, had seen her claim her place without hesitation. And he had stood by her, unwavering, despite the whispers, despite the past.
