Chapter 4: Commander’s Scar, Lover’s Goodbye

I was about to let go, but Eli, like a startled puppy finally catching up, hugged me back—hard. I could feel his heart pounding, so fast I thought it might leap out of his chest.

“Is it what I think? My Autumn.”

“What a fool.”

“I—I’ll go ask Grandma to arrange our engagement as soon as I get home.”

“Okay.”

Eli never was one to waste time. That night, he went to Grandma to get our engagement sorted.

But before my dad could get back from the South, an urgent message came from the border—the northern plains were in crisis. Eli followed my uncle right back to the battlefield.

Before he left, I went to the city tower to see him off. He wore white armor, standing out in the crowd. Suddenly, he turned and spotted me at once. He grinned and waved. That young commander—always so dazzling, always so alive.

Just like that night under the moon, he said, “Autumn, when I come back victorious, I’ll marry you.”

But we never got that day.

The northern tribes were masters of war. Commander Henry Shaw was ambushed and badly hurt. Young Commander Eli turned the tide, winning the day at Silver Hollow. The president was thrilled—and immediately ordered Eli to marry the Senator’s daughter, Savannah Reed.

When Eli got back to Maple Heights, the official marriage notice was already at Whitmore. They say that day, Eli searched the city like a madman, looking for someone.

I knew he was looking for me. But by then, I was already gone—out at Silver Hollow.

Eli, I guess we just weren’t meant to make it. Savannah was always going to be your wife.

I knew if I stayed, you’d never obey that order. But you couldn’t defy it, not with the whole Shaw family behind you. The president was already nervous about the Shaws—this was not the time to rebel.

So, I left. We had the chance, but not the luck.

I’ve been at Silver Hollow for a year now. In that time, the northern tribes have invaded again and again. I finally became the Midwest’s first female commander, leading the defense at Silver Hollow.

I got so many letters—yours, Mom’s, Grandma’s, Dad’s. Everyone tried to get me to come home, but I couldn’t. The wind out here is wild and free. It makes me forget my troubles, just like those childhood days when you took me riding in the fields.

I never dared to read your letters. I kept thinking you’d be angry—mad that I didn’t trust you, mad that I left without saying goodbye.

I’m sorry, Eli. I really am.

Soon it’ll be your wedding day. The book says that after you and Savannah marry, you’ll be happy and have a whole brood of kids.

Forgive me for not coming back, for not raising a glass at your wedding. The only thing I can do is hold Silver Hollow for you, keep it safe.

Today is your wedding day. I’ve imagined a thousand times what you’d look like in red, but I’ll never see it for myself.

Today, scouts reported another invasion. I grabbed my red-tasseled spear, mounted up, and rode out to meet them.

Today you’re getting married in Maple Heights. So here I am, out on the northern plains, sending you a bridal gown in blood, all the way from here.

When the bullet came, I could’ve dodged it. But I didn’t. The enemy was already beaten—just a handful of desperate men left.

My deputies all said that, in this battle, Young Commander Jennings won ten years of peace for the Midwest.

I guarded the Midwest for you. And now, I’m just tired.

Maybe this bullet was fate. I was always meant to die in a fire, wasn’t I?

So I let it hit me, let that bullet tear right through my chest.

Somehow, I was back in town, back on the day I left. Grandma held my hand, her eyes full of tears. “Autumn, go. My Autumn was never meant to sit in a parlor or play second fiddle to anyone.”

Eli, I still couldn’t be your bride.

Goodbye, Eli. My commander. Always.

6

Extra Story · Savannah Reed

My name is Savannah Reed, daughter of the Senator.

I’ve lived this life before.

In my last life, I had a husband who was a great commander, the kind everyone envied. People said we had a perfect marriage. But only I knew the truth—my husband never loved me. We were just polite roommates, sharing a house, not a life. Funny, isn’t it?

I always thought I wasn’t good enough. That’s why the commander didn’t love me.

Then, one day, the study caught fire. The flames burned my eyes. I thought I’d die there. But then the commander burst in—his face frantic, more worried than I’d ever seen.

For a moment, he looked like a hero. I almost believed his panic was for me.

But when he carried me out, holding me tight, I realized his eyes were searching for someone else—someone I couldn’t be.

“Autumn.”

I heard him whisper her name.