The cold bit into Cassandra's skin like knives, stealing her breath as soon as they burst out of the burning estate. Snow swirled in furious spirals, mixing with ash that still clung to her hair.
Julian's arm never left her, holding her close as they staggered across the courtyard. Behind them, the Ashford estate burned in a furious blaze, flames clawing at the sky, black smoke smothering the stars.
For one insane moment, Cassandra thought she saw faces in the fire—ghosts of laughter, parties, and chandeliers that once lit these same walls. The life she had known was crumbling to ashes.
Julian tugged her gently. "Don't look back."
Her voice cracked. "It's—it's my home."
His jaw tightened. "No. It was your prison. Keep moving."
They stumbled toward the stables, snow crunching beneath their boots. Cassandra's legs shook, half from exhaustion, half from terror. Every time thunder rolled through the storm, she flinched, expecting another gunshot.
At the stable doors, Julian shoved them open with his shoulder. The horses inside were restless, eyes wide, hooves pounding. Smoke and fear had reached even them.
He moved quickly, untying a sleek black stallion. "Up," he ordered.
Cassandra blinked. "What?"
"You ride."
Her laugh came out strangled. "Julian, I barely managed a pony when I was twelve. You want me to—"
His lips quirked, just for a second, even here. "Then hold on tight. I'll make sure you don't fall."
There was no room for argument. He hoisted her onto the horse with one swift motion, ignoring her squeak of protest. Then he swung up behind her, strong arms caging her in.
The horse shot forward, hooves breaking through snow, smoke swirling in their wake. Cassandra clung to Julian's arm, every jolt threatening to throw her off.
"You enjoy this, don't you?" she shouted over the storm.
"Terrifying you?" His mouth brushed her ear, his voice low despite the chaos. "More than I should."
Her cheeks flamed, though the night was already burning around them. "You're insufferable."
"And you're alive. That's all that matters."
They rode hard until the estate was a glowing ember behind them. At last, Julian slowed, guiding the horse into a thicket of pines. Snow muffled the sound of pursuit. For the first time in hours, Cassandra felt silence.
Julian slid down first, then reached up for her. She hesitated, heart pounding, before placing her hands in his. He lifted her down gently, steadying her when her knees buckled.
The storm howled above, branches groaning under heavy snow. For a moment, it was only the two of them, hidden beneath the trees.
Cassandra stared at him, her breath white in the night. "Why are you doing this?"
His brows furrowed. "Doing what?"
"Risking everything. Fighting like—like some soldier out of a nightmare. Saving me when…" Her throat closed. "When you could have left me."
Julian's gaze darkened. He stepped closer, snow clinging to his lashes. "Because leaving you was never an option."
Her lips parted. The cold burned, but his nearness burned hotter. "Julian…"
"I told you before, didn't I?" His voice was rough now, like gravel. "I won't let you go. Not while I still have breath in me."
For one wild second, Cassandra thought he would kiss her then and there, under the snow and firelight. Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear the storm.
But Julian turned away sharply, running a hand through his ash-streaked hair. "There are things you don't know. Things I should have told you before tonight."
Her chest squeezed. "Then tell me now."
He looked at her, really looked, as if weighing whether she could bear the weight of what he carried. His lips curved into the faintest smile—tired, bitter, almost broken.
"You think I'm dangerous, Cassandra."
"I know you are," she whispered.
"And yet you're still here."
Her breath caught. "Because I can't imagine being anywhere else."
The silence between them cracked like the fire consuming the estate. And before she could stop herself, Cassandra closed the distance. Her frozen hands fisted in his torn coat, pulling him closer.
Julian froze, as if this was the one thing he hadn't prepared for. Then he leaned down, his mouth brushing hers—soft at first, hesitant, like a man afraid of what he might unleash.
The world fell away. No fire. No storm. Only the heat of him, the taste of ash and snow, the wildness of her own heart breaking free.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead pressed to hers, both of them breathless, he whispered:
"This is why they'll never stop hunting us. Because I love you, Cassandra. And I'd burn the whole world before I let them take you."
Her knees nearly gave out. But she clung to him, because letting go was no longer possible. And as the storm raged on, Cassandra realized the most terrifying truth of all: She loved him too.