Page 19 of Battle of Hearts

“I’m sayingI have feelings for you, Sawyer,” Mirren continued, louder now, the adrenaline and fear pushing her forward. Tears threatened to well in her eyes. “And I’ve been terrified to admit it, because…I didn’t know what you’d think. But we’re here now, and I don’t know if we’re going to make it, and I can’t...I can’tdiewithout you knowing that.”

For a moment, Sawyer didn’t respond. She stood there, still and silent, her breath coming in slow, visible clouds in the icy air. The wind whipped around them, harsh and relentless, but in that moment, all Mirren could focus on was the intensity in Sawyer’s gaze.

The silence between them stretched thin, and Mirren’s heart raced, panic surging up her throat. Maybe she had misread everything. Maybe Sawyer didn’t feel the same way, and now she’d ruined whatever chance they had at even just surviving”

“You think I haven’t felt it, too?” Sawyer’s voice was low, the roughness in it softening. “I just didn’t know how to handle it. Not here, not like this.”

Mirren’s breath caught in her chest. “You...you feel the same?”

Sawyer nodded, her expression still guarded but her eyes softened. “I do, Mirren. I’ve felt it for a while now, but I was afraid it would mess everything up. I didn’t want to...complicate things.”

Mirren let out a shaky breath, the tension in her chest loosening, even as the cold continued to press down on them. “We’re already in the middle of a mess, Sawyer. But I’d rather have things complicated with you than face whatever happens next without you knowing how I feel.”

Sawyer’s lips curved into a faint smile—small, but real, even in the face of all their uncertainty. She reached out, wrapping herarms around Mirren in a protective, almost possessive embrace. “We’re going to get through this,” she said softly, her voice a low rumble against Mirren’s ear. “Together.”

Mirren nodded, pressing her forehead against Sawyer’s shoulder. The warmth of Sawyer’s body was a small comfort in the freezing storm, but more than that, it was the emotional connection between them that made her feel safe, even now.

Even with the storm raging on, the world collapsing around them, this moment felt like a fragile victory.

But it wasn’t enough. They still had to survive. And even with their feelings out in the open, the reality of their situation remained—a fight for survival against a raging, merciless storm.

Sawyer’s grip on her tightened, and she pulled away just enough to meet Mirren’s eyes again. “Let’s keep moving. We’re almost there.”

Mirren nodded, swallowing hard as they pulled away from each other. Their confessions hung heavy between them, but there was no time to dwell on it—not when every minute counted. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on the outpost ahead, barely visible through the blizzard’s fury.

They moved again, step by painstaking step, battling the wind and snow with every ounce of strength they had left. But even as the storm battered them, Mirren felt a renewed sense of determination—a fire inside her that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t just about survival anymore. It was for something more. For Sawyer.

The storm wouldnottake that away from her.

“We don’t have much time,” Sawyer finally said, her voice tight. “We have to keep moving, Mirren. Are you okay? Can you run?”

“Yes,” Mirren replied, swallowing the lump in her throat. She felt weak, pathetic for stopping them, but she pushedthose feelings away and replaced them with the newfound determination.

Sawyer met her gaze, and for a second, Mirren saw the vulnerability beneath the strength, the doubt that mirrored her own. But then Sawyer nodded, her expression hardening with resolve.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “Let’s go. We move fast. Stay close. Don’t lose sight of me, no matter what.”

Mirren’s heart pounded in her chest, both from fear and a strange surge of relief.

They moved quickly, knowing they had no time to waste. Sawyer continued to lead the way, moving steadily through the deep drifts of snow, her posture rigid with focus. Mirren followed, her feet dragging through the ice. It was disorienting—the world around them reduced to shades of white and gray, with no landmarks, no sign of direction. Just endless snow as far as the eye could see.

But Mirren kept going. She had to. For Sawyer, for herself, for the chance of survival that still lingered, even in this hellish storm.

Her mind drifted as they walked, slipping into the quiet, desperate place that exhaustion creates. She thought about Sawyer—how strong she was, how she always seemed to know what to do. Even now, when everything appeared so hopeless, Sawyer was still fighting. Still leading them forward.

But Mirren had seen the look in her eyes last night, and just now when she’d confessed her feelings. She had seen the fear there, the vulnerability that Sawyer rarely let show. And for the first time, Mirren realized that Sawyer was just as afraid as she was. Afraid of losing. Afraid of not being enough.

The thought sent a pang through her chest, but she pushed it aside. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on emotions. They hadto survive first. Everything else could come later—if there was a later.

The wind screamed around them, and Mirren felt her legs beginning to weaken, the cold sapping her energy faster than she could recover. Her body ached, muscles trembling with every step. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep going, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. Stopping meant death.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Sawyer stumbled ahead of her, dropping to one knee in the snow. Mirren’s heart lurched, and she hurried forward, reaching out to steady her.

“Sawyer!” she shouted, but her voice was lost in the roar of the storm.

Sawyer waved her off, struggling to get back to her feet. “I’m fine,” she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual strength.

Mirren wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t argue. She knew the kind of stubbornness Sawyer had, the kind that would keep her moving even when her body was failing. And right now, that stubbornness might be their only hope.

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