Chapter 14

Gracie's POV

It was a severe mix of command and tenderness.

"Gracie, you will accompany me to a distant land," he murmured, his words sending a shiver down my spine. "There is a new quest that needs to be accomplished, and I need your strength and loyalty by my side."

I glanced up into his eyes, a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity swirling within me. It was true that we had been adversaries, but in that moment, I sensed a shift. A connection began to form, an understanding that went beyond our previous conflicts.

"And what if I refuse?" I challenged, my voice laced with defiance. Deep down, I knew the answer, but I needed to hear it from him.

A faint smile played at the corners of his lips, and for a moment, the fierce intensity in his eyes softened. "You have the power to refuse, Gracie, but I have seen your strength, your determination. You are a force to be reckoned with, and together, we can achieve greatness."

His words struck a chord within me, resonating with the ember of ho