Caspian’s POV~The clearing was too still after the battle. I wiped the blade on my shredded sleeve and looked at Elara. She clutched the pup so hard that he was mashed against her chest, and her eyes gazed without blinking or wavering as though she feared to be betrayed by even the silence. Damien was behind her, panting heavily, with blood streaming from deep cuts across his body. None of us spoke at first.It was I who at last spoke to break the silence.“We have to burn the bodies,” I said, my voice low but unwavering. “If we abandon them, corruption will grow. The trees will never be replaced, and there might be others coming to sniff at what is left.”Elara looked at me, reluctant. She wrapped her arms tighter around the pup, as if it could save her from the picture of fire eating through flesh. I saw the protest in her eyes, but then she nodded. “If it must be done.”Damien muttered something I couldn’t hear, pulling one of the bodies closer to lie near the center path. I follo
Elara's POV~The air reeked of blood and fear. My arms shook as I gripped the pup close to my chest, but I wasn’t about to lose it. Its little body trembled with every growl that erupted from all around us. I whispered to it with trembling and faltering words.“You are safe… I’ll protect you. I won’t let them take you as well.”Tears wouldn’t let me see clearly, but I fought them back because if they flowed, then I’d crumble completely. Why now? And why now that I had at last gotten the littlest of hope down from this God forsaken mountain? What kind of Goddess shows me a way to save my father and then throws this storm at us?I leaned against the rock wall in the hope that it would support me. My chest was pained at the memories of Jasmine’s dead body piercing through me. I saw her face in flashes, her eyes fading, and I knew that infant was gone before it ever really cried. I said that seven years ago, but I can still hear the silence that followed it, the one that broke me. I crus
Damiens POV~The woods were strangely quiet, too quiet. Their eyes shone with light among the trees as they got closer, and I immediately realized that they'd been watching us long before they came out to meet us.I placed myself in front of Elara, panting, as my claws began to come out, as my wolf demanded to be free. Caspian moved beside me, with his knife out. Elara stared at the pup, hugging it to her chest, with her eyes wide open.“Stay back. Keep the pup safe,” I said to her, my voice low and sharp.She breathed hard and her lips trembled, but she nodded with unblinking eyes. “Damien… please—please be careful.”The sound of her fear alone pierced me. It reminded me of the several times when she had begged me before, and I had let her down. Not this time, though, I promised myself that I would not fail.The first rogue lunged.It burst out of the trees, running fast, with its mouth open. I moved forward, to lunge and leap in one violent thrust. My bones snapped, my claws rippe
Elara’s POV~It took longer to come down from the mountain than it took us when we were climbing. Each step needed to be cautious, measured, or we could hear the mountain show us how hungry it was. I cradled the pup to my chest, swaddled in the edge of my cloak, and its delicate heat served as a consolation against the bitter air. My arms hurt, but I didn’t dare slacken my hold.For the first time in days, I sensed a glimmer of hope coursing through me. The herb had been actual, living, and in Caspian’s pouch. It was no longer just a healer’s legend whispered through the corridors of archives everywhere. It was in our hands. And if the Moon Goddess had just let me have the chance to look at it, perhaps she would also give me a chance to save my father as well.I sucked in the bitter cold through my nose, keeping my eyes on the road. Caspian was in the lead, with the rope placed over his shoulder, walking steadily. When he was talking, I would find myself holding on to his voice, gra
Caspian’s POV~ “Hold the rope tight,” I shouted, my hoarse voice booming off the cliff. My arms and legs shook as one of my hands held onto the rock, with the rope tied around my waist. " I'm only a step away, don't you dare let go!" I heard Damien’s growl from above. “Then hurry.”Elara’s voice cut in, sounding weaker but more desperate, stirring something inside me. “Please, Caspian… please be careful.” Her words steadied me. I suppressed my breathing, slowing its pace, and reached for the herb. It grew along the rock, shining in the scant light from above, its green leaves softly luminous. The petals were pale, almost silver, with paths of gold that ran through them. Its roots were twisted and stuck to the cliff, as if the earth were protecting it.I stretched farther, the pressure shooting through my shoulders, until my fingers reached the leaves. The smell overwhelmed me. It was cool, piercing, and felt almost sacred. And at that point, I knew that it was the right one. I st
Elara’s POV~The climb had been merciless. My legs shook with much effort, and the breath I was inhaling was very cold. The air became colder as we climbed, freezing my chest, but I wouldn’t stop. My father’s face remained tattooed in my brain, the cold stillness of his body, and the waning warmth of his hand. I would not let that be how he ends up dying. Damien stayed close, always offering me a hand wherever the mountain was steep. But I ignored him. I didn’t want him, I didn't want his help, his strength, his earnest worry that always seemed to be absent when it was needed most. Each time he tried to hold me, I flinched, my fingers clutching on something other than his palm. Caspian walked with us with a firm step, constantly on the lookout for treachery. When he directed my attention to loose stones or showed me where to place my foot to find some firmness, I obeyed. But to Damien, I gave nothing. Not even my glare. Not even a glance. My body ached with exhaustion by the time