Grief

Her brows pulled together. "What is it, Lucas?"

He hesitated for a second too long, and Ava's heart began to race in her chest. "Nolan is dead," Lucas said finally, quietly. Just three words, but they crashed like thunder.

Ava gasped. Her whole body recoiled as if struck. "It was during the ambush, wasn't it?"

Lucas gave a small nod, jaw clenched. "Yes."

"Oh my god… oh my god…" Her voice cracked. She blinked rapidly, but tears were already escaping, hot and insistent, dripping down her cheeks in traitorous silence. Nolan. "No one told me. Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"We buried him before we left for the North," Lucas said gently, "but I thought you would want to know… he died protecting you."

And that broke her.