A thick tension enveloped them, filling the air with an almost palpable weight. The words they exchanged reverberated, echoing through the silence that followed. Claire’s chest rose and fell with the intensity of her emotions, her eyes locked with Jamie’s in a battle of defiance and hurt. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a realisation slowly dawned on Claire, piercing through her anger and pain. She understood that her resentment towards Jamie for not protecting her was misplaced and unfair. Deep down, she knew it wasn’t his fault. She was a witch, possessing the power to defend herself, but she had failed to do so thus far. In her journey through this foreign land, she had lost sight of who she truly was before. She had become so consumed by her connection with the man standing before her that she had forgotten her strength and agency.