Chapter 13 - Sarah’s Letter
Elias opened the letter with trembling hands.
Sarah had written it days before her death.
She knew Elias blamed himself for every person he couldn't protect.
She had seen it even then.
One sentence stopped him.
If anything ever happens to me, promise you won't turn love into a punishment.
Elias lowered the paper.
Naya sat beside him.
He handed it to Thomas, who read aloud the parts Naya couldn't fully understand.
Sarah had written about hope.
A family.
A future.
And her fear that Elias would spend his life running if tragedy ever touched him again.
She had known him too well.
Naya touched his shoulder.
“She tell you live.”
“Yes.”
“So live.”
Elias laughed through tears.
“You make everything sound easy.”
“No. Simple. Not easy.”
He folded the letter carefully.
They buried a small wooden box beneath Sarah's tree containing the guilt Elias had carried symbolically: an old ring, a broken watch from the attack, and the list of names he'd blamed himself for failing.
Then they rode away.
Not escaping.
Leaving.
There was a difference.
During the journey home, Elias began planning.
He spoke privately with Aiyana.
Then Keme.
Then Thomas.
Everyone seemed suddenly secretive around Naya.
She hated it.
“What you hide?”
“Nothing.”
“Elias.”
“Nothing.”
“You bad liar.”
“So I've heard.”
When they reached the valley, lanterns illuminated the riverbank.
Families gathered.
Naya stared.
“What?”
Elias dismounted.
His hands were shaking.
That amused her.
“You scared?”
“Terrified.”
“Why?”
He took both her hands.
“Because the first time you called me your husband, I thought you'd lost your mind.”
Everyone laughed.
Naya narrowed her eyes.
Elias continued.
“Then I realized you weren't asking me for anything. You were trying to explain trust using the words you had.”
Her expression softened.
“You chose me before I was brave enough to choose anything.”
He knelt.
Naya's eyes widened.
“This time,” Elias said, “I want you to have every choice.”
He held out a simple silver ring.
“Naya, will you marry me?”
She stared.
Seconds passed.
Elias swallowed.
“Well?”
Naya smiled.
“No.”
Everyone gasped.
Thomas choked.
Elias stared.
“No?”
Naya leaned down.
“Stand.”
He stood slowly.
She took the ring.
“You say marriage not debt.”
“Yes.”
“You say equal.”
“Yes.”
“So no kneel.”
Understanding dawned.
Naya slipped the ring onto her finger.
Then kissed him.
“Yes.”
Cheers erupted.
Thomas shouted loudest.
Elias held Naya.
But over her shoulder, he saw Keme staring toward the ridge.
His expression changed.
A rider had appeared.
He carried military dispatches.
Trouble was coming from Washington.
The restored land ruling was being challenged.
May you like
Their battle wasn't finished after all.
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