Se connecterWe reached the clearing where Zephyrous and Evalandra were already waiting. Zeph wore his usual cool, unreadable mask; Evalandra waved excitedly at our approach,
“You got it done faster than I thought,” Evalandra said, grinning. “How did the fight go with The Yale? You don't look injured?” Ev looked me up and down.
“I guess I’m g
The washing room was barely large enough to hold the wooden tub tucked into one corner. A narrow bench rested against the opposite wall beneath a row of iron hooks, and bundles of dried lavender hung from the ceiling beams. The sweet, calming scent mixed with warm soap and damp stone.It was the most beautiful room I had ever seen.After days of cold rivers, dirt, blood, and sleeping on the ground, the steam curling above the water in delicate ribbons and brushing against my face felt like a miracle, and I could have wept.“I’m never leaving,” I whispered.Ev rested one shoulder against the doorframe. “I’ll tell Carlin you’ve chosen the tub over him.”“I haven’t chosen Carlin at all.” I blurted out too fast. Heat creeping up my face.“Of course not.” The ease of her agreement made me narrow my eyes. She gave me an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one. “Enjoy your bath.
The Seeker camp appeared between the trees late that afternoon.At first, I saw only the pointed roofs of the watchtowers rising above the pines. Then the road curved, revealing a wall of sharpened logs enclosing the camp. Smoke curled from the chimney of a squat stone building, carrying the welcome scents of burning oak and something savory cooking inside. Voices drifted over the wall. Steel rang against steel in the training yard, followed by a burst of laughter and someone shouting about an unfair blow.After the silence and blood of the last camp, those ordinary sounds loosened the knot that had been sitting beneath my ribs. This camp is safe, at least for now.Bella must have felt it too. Her pace quickened, and her tail began to sway behind her.Through the o
Morning arrived far too soon. Pale light crept through the branches, transforming the mist between the trees into a dull silver. As the fire had burned down to a bed of glowing embers, the clearing grew cold, causing every breath to form a faint cloud in front of my face. Consequently, I burrowed deeper beneath my cloak..Sleep had come in short, miserable pieces, with lightning flashing across pale skin and bones cracking somewhere in the darkness each time I drifted off. Now my eyes felt packed with sand, and a dull ache pulsed behind them.“Rise and shine, everyone!”Ev’s voice cut through the quiet with entirely too much cheer.I dragged my cloak over my head. “No.”Leaves crunched as she approached my bedroll.“An inspiring response.” She teased as she tried pulling my cloak.“Go away,” I groaned, curling onto my side.“We need to reach the checkpoint before nightfall.”&nbs
I woke up screaming.“Nera!”A man's voice called my name. Then hands grabbed my shoulders.rs. I fought them.“No! Let me go!”“Nera!”I swung blindly. Someone caught my wrist.“It's me.”Carlin.His voice cut through everything, causing me to freeze. My eyes focused, taking in the fire, the trees, and the bedroll. I was back at camp.Carlin knelt over me, his hands gripping my shoulders. His hair, still tousled from sleep, framed eyes wid
The fire had burned down to glowing embers by the time Zeph announced he was leaving us. Of course, he didn't bother easing into the subject.“I'll be going a different way in the morning.”I looked up from where I sat beside Bella. “What?”Zeph continued cleaning his Mages staff as if he hadn't just announced he was abandoning us after everything that had happened. Across the fire,no one looked surprised by his announcement.“You're leaving?” I asked.“Yes.”“Why?”Zeph glanced up. “I have somewhere else I need to be.”
The first sign something was wrong was the silence. Seeker camps were never silent. Someone was always arguing over food, sharpening a weapon, laughing too loudly, complaining about guard duty, or telling a story that grew more ridiculous with every retelling.But as we approached the camp, there was nothing. No voices. No laughter. No clang of steel from the training grounds.Even Bella slowed. Her ears rose, her entire body going rigid beside me.Carlin stopped so suddenly I nearly walked into him.“What?” I whispered. His hand was already on his sword.“Stay behind me.”I frowned. “That's never going to happen.”
“Come on, Belladonna. If I have to be awake, so do you.” I shoved gently at the great furry mass hogging my blankets. Bella cracked open one amber eye, huffed a hot breath that smelled faintly of venison scraps, and sprawled wider across the bed. Her thick coat was warm under my hand,
“Come on, Nera! Wake up! We have very important company today!” The shrill voice of my lady's maid Hana cut through my dreams like a knife. I groaned, curling deeper into the tangle of sheets, I didn’t want to get up. I was having such a nice dream of the forest. Another knock on my door had me fi
My parents sat at the head of the hall, commanding every gaze. Father’s broad shoulders filled his high-backed chair, Mother’s poise as sharp as any blade. Both wore deep green trimmed with brown. The colors of House Verden, echoing the forests that bound our lands. Father’s gaze pinned me the mome
The tea room glowed with firelight and polite chatter, silver spoons clinking gently against porcelain cups. Yet despite the warmth, my father’s cold anger clung to me like frost, coiling tighter the longer I lingered at his side. Something gnawed at him beneath that regal composure, and I







