If reason and emotion couldn’t guide her, Claire turned to the sense of duty she held within. She had made solemn vows to both Draco and Jamie, each one heartfelt at the time. Now, faced with an impossible choice, she grappled with the thought of betraying one of them. As the sun sank lower in the sky and the swallows sought refuge in their nests, Claire remained seated, deep in contemplation of her next move.