“Yes.” I considered it for a moment, the notion of going to live with Maciej. Once upon a time, it had been my dream. But not anymore. “No,” I said slowly. “I don’t want to go to my brother.”

“After we get Sadie out of the sewer, I mean. That way you can know they are safe before you leave for Paris.”

“It’s not just that. I don’t want to leave you either.” I felt the words for the first time as I spoke them. Krys and I were messy and imperfect and we quarreled often. But I loved him just as much as I had before he left for the war. Maybe more. Fate had allowed us to find one another a second time; surely it would not give us a third.

“I feel the same way,” he admitted. “But with my work, we can’t possibly be together now.”

“Let me join you.” He stared at me, as if not believing the words. “Not just hiding things, but really join you.” It was the message I had wanted to give him the day I had gone looking for him at the café and had left a note. I hadn’t been able to tell him fully then, but I could now. “You said there are women in the Home Army, didn’t you?” He nodded. “I want to be one of them. Not just run a few errands, but really be part of it all.” I held my breath, waiting for his reaction. “Or don’t you think I can do it?”

“I think there’s no one finer or better suited for the job.” I felt myself standing a bit taller when he said this. “But I’m afraid it’s impossible. You see, the moment of truth is coming. There is to be a great uprising in Warsaw and almost all of our efforts and men and material will soon be concentrated there.”

“Including you?”

“Including me.”

My heart sank. “But it is even more dangerous in Warsaw.”

He nodded grimly. “Which is why I must go. They need me there.”

“I can’t bear to lose you again.” I wanted to beg him not to go. But he was determined and to do anything else would make him less than he was. My heart twisted at the thought that he would leave me once more.

“Then I’ll come with you,” I blurted, surprising myself.

“To Warsaw? But, Ella, it’s too dangerous,” he protested. “You just said as much yourself.”

“Nothing is safe anymore,” I replied. He looked as though he wanted to argue, but could not. “Let me join your fight.” I gained confidence now, owning the words. I really wanted to do this. “At least this way, we’ll be together no matter what happens.”

He hesitated for a moment and I expected him to say no. “All right,” he said finally, surprising me. “I love you, Ella. We can leave together.” He swept me into his arms and drew me close.

“Of course, we must help Sadie first. I won’t leave without doing that,” I added for emphasis.