SERAPHINA
The Northern Kingdom is exactly as cold as I remember.
I pull my cloak tighter around my shoulders as the carriage winds through mountain passes lined with snow-covered pines. Azriel sits pressed against my side, his small face glued to the window as he takes in his first real view of winter.
“Mama, look!” He points at a frozen waterfall cascading down the cliff face. “It’s like glass!”
“I see it, sweetheart.” I smooth his hair, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart is racing.
We’ve been traveling for three days. Three days of Kieran maintaining careful distance, riding with his guards while Azriel and I stay in the carriage with Commander Thane as our escort. He checks on us at night, asks if we need anything, then disappears again before I can say more than
