Are Saviour

The silence that followed was deafening. Hadrian turned, his eyes immediately finding Helena, who had risen from the ground and was clutching Sophia and Cassandra tightly. Her green eyes locked onto his, wide with a mixture of relief and lingering fear.

"Are you all right?" Hadrian asked, his voice quieter now.

Helena nodded, though her voice trembled when she spoke. "I... I didn't think you'd make it in time."

"I always will," Hadrian said simply, stepping closer. His gaze shifted to Sophia and Cassandra, who clung to Helena's skirts. "And you two? Are you hurt?"

Cassandra shook her head, her wide eyes fixed on the fallen orc. "That was... terrifying," she admitted, her voice small. "But you were amazing, Hadrian."

Sophia nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

Helena's hands trembled as she released the girls and took a step toward Hadrian. "You saved us," she said, her voice quieter now. "I..."

She trailed off, her eyes darting away as if unsure of what to say. For a moment, there was only the sound of their breathing, the weight of the moment pressing down on them all.

Hadrian reached out, his hand brushing her shoulder. "It's over," he said softly. "You're safe."

Helena looked back at him, her expression unreadable, before nodding slowly. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice almost too quiet to hear.

The return journey began in a subdued silence. The convoy moved at a steady pace along the winding dirt road, the remnants of the battle weighing heavily on everyone's minds. Hadrian rode at the front of the militia, his musket strapped across his back and his sword hanging loosely at his side. His gaze stayed fixed ahead, though his thoughts lingered on what had just transpired.

Behind him, Helena sat atop one of the supply carts, her posture stiff and her green eyes distant. Cassandra and Sophia sat beside her, their chatter subdued for once, as if even they understood the gravity of what had happened.

As they approached a narrow bend in the road, Helena stood abruptly, her balance unsteady on the moving cart. "Hadrian," she called, her voice sharper than she intended.

Hadrian slowed his horse, glancing back over his shoulder. "What is it?"

"I... I don't feel safe back here," she admitted, her voice quieter now. She hesitated before adding, "Can I ride with you?"

Hadrian blinked, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. He nodded after a moment, steering his horse closer to the cart. "Come on," he said, holding out a hand.

Helena hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of the cart. "This feels wrong," she muttered. "I'm your sister. I should be the one protecting you."

"You're right," Hadrian replied, his tone calm but firm. "But right now, I'm the one who can protect you. Now take my hand."

Helena looked at him for a moment longer before sighing and reaching out. Hadrian gripped her hand firmly, helping her onto the saddle in front of him. She settled awkwardly, her back stiff as she avoided looking at him.

"You're going to fall off if you sit like that," Hadrian said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Helena shot him a glare but relaxed slightly, leaning back just enough to find her balance. "This feels ridiculous," she muttered, her cheeks faintly red.

Hadrian chuckled softly, keeping his eyes on the road. "You'll get used to it."

Sophia and Cassandra, riding in the cart behind them, exchanged glances but said nothing. Cassandra's grin was mischievous as she whispered something to Sophia, who rolled her eyes but smiled faintly.

The rhythmic clatter of hooves and wheels filled the silence between Hadrian and Helena. After a while, her voice broke through, quieter than before. "Thank you. For earlier."

Hadrian glanced down at her, his expression softening. "I told you—I'll always come."

Helena turned slightly, her green eyes searching his face. There was a flicker of something unspoken in her gaze, but she quickly looked away, her hands gripping the saddle. "Just don't let it go to your head."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Hadrian said lightly, though his tone held a warmth that wasn't lost on her.

The journey continued, the quiet punctuated by the occasional murmurs from the soldiers and the creak of the wagons. Helena leaned back slightly, her tension easing as the steady rhythm of the horse's gait lulled her into a rare sense of safety.

For the first time since the battle, Hadrian felt the weight on his shoulders lighten, if only for a moment.