Night deepened. Cassian drifted into a long, restless dream.
The crude laughter of bandits echoed around him. He charged through the door and found Audrey pressing a dagger to the vein in her throat, choosing death over dishonor.
The north wind howled through his dream.
Audrey stood before him, refusing the bracelet he held out. She pressed a finely stitched cloak into his hands instead, her eyes glistening with tears.
She whispered, "Bring the bracelet back to me. Come home safe. I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes."
The scene shifted.
Her body slammed against a stone pillar, a thin line of blood trailing from the corner of her mouth.
Cassian jolted awake. His hand was already clutching a piece of fabric. He blinked and looked down at it. It was the cloak Audrey had gi
