I sobered. “Talon is coming,” I said, destroying the tranquility with that one simple statement. Her smile faded, her eyes turning grim and dark. “We don’t know how big that clone army is, but we do know that they plan to attack soon. Riley was right to call everyone here—his safe houses were on Talon’s strike list, and he needs to take care of his underground. I get that. But...the Order is in danger, too. If Talon hits them now, when they’re disorganized and still reeling from the Patriarch’s death, they could very well wipe them out. Or cripple them so badly they’ll never recover.” I paused, measuring my next words, wondering how she would take it, then sighed. “I have to warn them.”

“Warn them? How?” She stared at me for only a moment before she got it, and her eyes narrowed in alarm. “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

“I won’t ask you to come.” I turned away, gazing back toward the farmhouse. “Your place is here, with Riley and the other rogues. You should be with your own, especially now. But... I have to go, Ember. I don’t agree with St. George or what they do anymore, but I can’t let them be wiped out.” I thought of Tristan, of Lieutenant Martin, and the soldiers I had grown up with. “The Order was my home, and there are still good people there. I have to try to warn them.”

I felt her presence behind me. “I know. I figured you would try to contact the Order sooner or later, no matter what Riley said.” Stepping close, she took my hand, weaving her fingers through mine. “But you’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you go alone.”

Relief spread through me, which surprised me a little. I hadn’t realized how much I’d wanted her to come, to choose me, until now. But at the same time, I didn’t want to take her from her own kind unless she was absolutely certain. This was still St. George, the enemy of all dragons, and the war was far from over. “Are you sure?” I asked, turning back to her. “I don’t know if they’ll listen to me. I’m still the most hated person in the Order right now, and their views on dragons haven’t changed. It will be dangerous, Ember. They’ll probably try to kill us both.”

“I know.” She stepped closer, looping her arms around my neck. “And yes, I’m sure. You said so yourself—someone has to take that first step. Someone has to start trusting the other side, or this war will never be over.” Green eyes peered up at me, confident and unafraid, as I slid my arms around her. “We’ll change things, soldier boy, one step at a time.”