_Leah's POV_
I woke to a sky full of stars and a sound like a hundred held breaths.
My body felt hollow and heavy. My limbs were numb. I blinked and the light stabbed behind my eyes. For a moment I did not know where I was. Then the clearing came back in pieces—the circle of salt, torch flames and faces blurred into a ring. There were so many people. I tried to sit up and the world tilted. Someone’s strong hands steadied me.
Kayden.
He carried me like I was the smallest thing in the world. He held me bridal-style and I lay against his broad chest. His heartbeat was slow. The smell of him, pine smoke and sweat and something warm, made my head swim.
“Easy,” he murmured. His voice sounded very far away. “Just rest.”
I wanted to speak and I could not find my voice. Confusion curled thick
