A young doctor unexpectedly finds herself forced to indoctrinate into a paramilitary organization, where a stoic hero silently falls in love. Slowly, he earns her trust. The love between them burns away the darkness of the past and acts as a beacon...
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The months that have passed have been among the best in my life. As we traveled, the warm sun shone brightly against our backs, and the beauty of the wilderness was beyond imagination.
Red mountains climbed into the sky, showcasing why Echo Troop was designated with a maroon insignia.
One village was carved into the side of the mountain and overlooked a large blue river that cut through the stones and rushed towards the western ocean.
Another village was hidden behind a series of waterfalls that rushed powerfully – rainbows reflecting in every fragment of mist decorating the air.
A few tribes traveled as nomads through the most arid parts of the land. They were guided by the stars and wild dogs that could smell water from miles away. The land was scarred with wells dug by generations before us.
Each village was different from the last but just as beautiful in its own right.
The people, too.
Their words and way of life spellbound me, and it was nice to build meaningful relationships instead of building lies like I had on my last mission.
At the Barrons, I did nothing but lie and deceive everyone around me. I spent every second hiding who I was, fearful of being exposed and harmed by Mitchell's vicious hands. It took almost six weeks for the last bruise to fade, and I was thankful to be rid of the reminder it served.
It's been nearly a year since I joined the Troop. In that time, I've been imprisoned as an enemy of the state, indoctrinated into the most elite fighting force on earth, and embedded as a spy in a dangerous criminal organization.
But of all the things that have happened this year, accidentally falling in love with Solan must be the most reckless.
I swept my eyes over the small perimeter we had set for the evening. This is our last night in the wilderness. Tomorrow, we will arrive at the last village during this rotation.
Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I swept my eyes across the boys.
Aldric and Arthur laid on their sides, backs flushed together.
Solan slept propped up on his ruck. As always, boots on but untied. His arms folded across his chest.
My eyes lingered on him, and my heart hummed.
The feeling that started to burn in my chest that night he came to me in the Barrons has grown into a raging fire. I huffed a humorless laugh, turning my gaze away from him.
In the beginning, I tried so hard to push Solan away, yet he still found a way into the center of my heart.
I tilted my head up at the stars, searching for Orion.
I love him. I love how he sees the world, deals with problems, and shoulders his responsibilities. I love how he cares for people. How he never lets Mrs. Sullivan clean a dish, and how he takes Wes's criticism for mistakes Arthur and Aldric make. I love how he sees the worst of this world and still steps forward, believing the best in it. I love his eyes and his hands. I love how his arms make me feel as safe as his unbroken promises.
