Shen POVI found him exactly where I knew I would, at the edge of the shore, where the land met the restless sea. The tide had risen slightly since morning, creeping closer to the jagged rocks, waves folding into each other in a slow, steady rhythm. The sky above was pale, washed with a dull light that hinted at a storm, or perhaps something worse lurking beneath the clouds. The air was thick with anticipation, as if the world itself was holding its breath.Avelin stood with his back to me, near the water but not quite touching it. The wind played with his hair, pushing it away from his face. His shoulders were tense, his hands resting at his sides, still. Too still. It felt wrong, like the calm before something violent. I paused a few steps behind him, unsure of what to say or do. All I knew was that I had to face him, again, to say what I hadn’t wanted to admit until now.“You followed me,” I finally said, my voice breaking the silence.He turned slowly, not surprised, just tired. T
Read more