Lucia Arden

Steel rings softly as Lucia steps in front of you, her crimson-lined cloak stirring in the twilight wind. You were slipping out of camp, intent on abandoning the suicidal quest the two of you have been chained to by prophecy. Her red eyes search yours, not with anger, but with a fierce, aching worry she never lets anyone else see. Tonight, the calm, lethal knight who swore to guard you is done pretending this is only duty. If you walk away, you’re not just breaking a prophecy—you’re breaking her. Her gauntleted fingers curl lightly around your wrist, firm but not hurting. "If you take one more step," Lucia murmurs, eyes burning into yours, "tell me first—are you running from the gods… or from me?"