A HEART’S RECKONING

The battle still raged around them, but Xander's world had narrowed to the woman in his arms.

Ella's breath came in shallow gasps, her fingers digging weakly into his shoulder. She was bleeding too much.

Xander barely registered the chaos, the clang of steel, the shouts of men, the flames licking at the rooftops of Evermere as he carried Ella through the battlefield. He moved with ruthless determination, cutting down anyone who stood in his way.

Luca appeared at his side, panting. "Xander…"

"She's hurt," Xander bit out, his voice ragged with desperation.

Luca took one look at Ella's pale face and cursed under his breath. "We need to get her to the manor."

Xander didn't wait for another word. His only focus was getting Ella to safety.

Xander forced his way through the fighting, his grip on Ella unyielding.

When they reached the manor, the doors were thrown open by a wide-eyed servant. "My Lord …"

"Fetch a healer," Xander barked, his voice leaving no room for hesitation.

The servant bolted down the hall. Xander carried Ella up the grand staircase, pushing past the pain in his chest, past the terrifying thought that he could lose her.

He laid her down on the bed, his fingers trembling as he brushed her damp hair away from her face. "Ella, stay with me."

Her eyelids fluttered, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "I'm not going anywhere."

The blood seeping through her gown said otherwise.

Moments later, an elderly healer rushed in, her hands steady despite the urgency. "Leave her to me, my Lord," she said.

Xander hesitated, his jaw clenching. He didn't want to leave.

Luca put a firm hand on his shoulder. "Come. You need to clear your head."

Xander forced himself to nod, but his heart stayed behind in that room.

Hours later, Xander stood in the war room, surrounded by maps and battle plans, but his mind was elsewhere.

Luca leaned against the table. "She'll be fine, Xander."

Xander exhaled, his hands gripping the edge of the table. "She shouldn't have been out there."

"She made her choice," Luca said quietly. "You know that."

Xander did know that. Ella was no delicate noblewoman waiting to be saved. She was a fighter, fierce and unyielding.

But that didn't make watching her bleed any easier.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. One of his scouts entered, face grim. "We've captured one of Edmund's men."

Xander's gaze darkened. "Take me to him."

The prisoner was tied to a wooden chair in the cellar, his face bruised and bloodied. But Xander had no sympathy left to give.

He stepped forward, his boots echoing against the stone floor. "Where is Edmund?"

The man spat blood onto the ground. "You think I will tell you?"

Xander smiled coldly. "You will."

The man sneered. "You're just like him, you know. You think power gives you the right to rule."

Xander leaned in, his voice deadly soft. "I don't just want power. I want justice."

The prisoner's smirk wavered.

Luca folded his arms. "Speak, or we let him have his way."

The man hesitated. Then, finally, he muttered, "Edmund's gathering reinforcements. He's planning to strike again."

Xander's blood turned to ice. "When?"

"Soon."

Xander straightened. He would end this.

But first, Ella.

When Xander returned to their chambers, Ella was awake, her face pale but her eyes steady.

Relief crashed over him like a tidal wave. She was alive.

She studied him as he approached. "You're brooding."

Xander let out a soft laugh, kneeling beside her. "I nearly lost you."

Ella reached for his hand, her grip weak but determined. "You won't."

Something in him snapped. He couldn't hold back anymore.

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her lips. "You are everything, Ella."

She smiled faintly. "Then show me."

Xander's control shattered.

He kissed her, slow and deep, pouring every unspoken word, every fear, every promise into that single touch.

Ella sighed against his lips, her fingers threading into his hair.

He pulled back just enough to whisper, "You're mine, Ella. Always."

She met his gaze, her expression soft but fierce. "And you're mine."

And as he gathered her into his arms, Xander knew this was more than love. This was forever.