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Bryn pulled back from Revna’s embrace and brought her hand up to stroke her lover’s face tenderly.

“Come find me tonight, and we’ll pick up where we left off,” Bryn promised.

Revna sighed but nodded, twining her fingers around Bryn’s other hand.

“I have to go,” Bryn said, taking a step back. “But know the hardest thing I’ll ever do is walk away from you,minnraven.”

Revna kept her fingers twisted in Bryn’s until the last second when Bryn finally moved far enough away that they slipped from each other's grasp. The air grew heavier between them, as if a great distance was already yawning open between them.

I love you, mouthed Revna, a regretful look in her eye.

Bryn gave her a curious look at the sorrow in her eyes, but Revna quickly turned and ran silently down the alley toward the barracks, her lithe body moving through the shadows like it was liquid night come to life.

Revna disappeared into the distance, and Bryn picked up her pace to make it to the War Council on time.

“Ah, Lieutenant, you’re just in time,” King Helvig’s voice boomed from across the room as Bryn entered the war room. “We were just getting to the news I have received from one of the Generals Flame Assassins.”

The General, who sat directly to the King's right, was pale and stiff. He did not look at Bryn when she entered or when the King addressed her. When she reached her spot further down the table that contained the map of Ahland, Bryn bowed deeply at the King and sat when he nodded his head once.

“What news have you received, Your Majesty?” Bryn asked, voice flat.

“The Flame Assassins have failed in retrieving the Heir Apparent from the Kingdom of Rivers. One has sent word to me of their failure and is awaiting further instruction,” the King said, his honey-colored hair elegantly slicked back with the Flame Crown pressed into the thick locks.

Bryn waited in silence for her orders, her gaze never straying from the King, her mask of indifference never slipping.

“I need you to fulfill your promise to find that girl, Lieutenant,” her father continued, his hazel eyes beginning to dance with the fire that he favored so much. “I need you to find the Heir and bring her back to the palace, once and for all.”

Bryn restricted the triumph she felt at her and Revna’s plan working and used that feeling to bring her most cruel smile forward.

“It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”

“Excellent,” he grinned.

Bryn found it odd that the King was in such high spirits at the news of the General's failure to capture Maude. She imagined that he would have been furious, throwing furniture and burning the closest individual who even slightly inconvenienced him.

But he was almost slap-happy. It unsettled Bryn.

The rest of the meeting breezed through quickly, though Bryn had not paid attention to most of what was said. She had been dismissed along with the other councilors, but they had not made it far down the hall before the shouting began. King Helvig was tearing her uncle apart if the crashing of furniture signified anything.

Night had fallen while she was in the meeting, and Bryn eagerly made her way back to her room, hoping to find Revna in her bed. Bryn felt horrible leaving Revna like that in the alley, but her duty had to come first during the waking hours. Revna knew this.

Bryn reached her bedroom and quickly unlocked the door to find it empty.

On her pillow lay a small, folded note. Bryn went to open the letter when she noticed it had been addressed to her in Revna’s small, neat handwriting. Dread settled in Bryn as she opened it.

My love,

The King has sent me on the mission we planned sooner than I expected. I have the finished letter to Maude with me and will make sure to deliver it to her, no matter what.

It pains me to have left the palace without telling you, but it’s easier this way, you see. I would have loved to have joined you tonight in your chambers, but our mission comes first.

I will see you upon my return. I love you.

Your raven

Longing settled into Bryn’s bones as she read the letter. Revna had known she was leaving that moment and had let Bryn walk away from her.

It’s easier this way.