Page 3 of Iron Roses
I should leave.
But I don’t.
A soft noise draws my head left. Not the voices this time. Something closer.
A sob.
I follow it, careful not to break the underbrush. It leads away from the tent, just beyond the fire circle.
There. Curled at the base of a tree, arms wrapped around her knees.
She’s small. Younger than me. Ten, maybe.
Long hair veils her face. Her dress is thin and ripped at one sleeve. Bare feet tucked in tight. She’s crying like she’s trying not to, chest jerking in quiet bursts.
I don’t know who she is.
But I know that sound.
I sit. Not too close. Just near enough to be there. No words. Just company.
She doesn’t notice me at first.
Then—she does.
Her head lifts. Her eyes are red, but she doesn’t look away. Her breath is still shaky. I say nothing.
This quiet—it's not awkward. It feels like a thread pulled taut between us, holding something in place.
She sniffs, wipes her nose on her sleeve, gaze never leaving mine.
I lean forward a little, studying her face. Freckles across the bridge of her nose. Lips chapped from cold. She’s got this stubborn set to her chin like she’s been told to stay quiet her whole life and resents it.
I reach out. Wipe the tear trails with the side of my thumb.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
She hesitates. Then, voice hoarse:
“Giovanna.”
It fits.
“I’m Cassian.”
Her eyes search mine like she’s trying to understand why I came.
I don’t have an answer. But I know I won’t forget this moment.
Not the way she didn’t shrink away. Not the way silence wrapped around us like a second binding.
Not the way I already feel like I’ve always known her.
It was then I knew it was her I would live and die to protect.
Chapter One – Elaria
The wind tangles my hair the moment I step out of the car. Like this place has fingers.
