Natalie POV
The heavy rhythmic stride of the royal transport stallion beneath us was the only steady point of reality left as the mountain trail narrowed into the steep frozen gaps of the upper ridge. The sharp slate cliffs on either side cut off the howling wind of the open basin, replacing it with a heavy, waiting silence broken only by the crunch of frost beneath iron shoes and the distant clink of the heavy cavalry armor following our ascent.
Wrapped completely within the dark folds of Richard’s heavy wool cloak, I could feel the bone-deep weariness finally settling into my limbs, pulling at my muscles with a dull, leaden weight. The brilliant golden-emerald flare of my primal core had slowly receded back beneath my ribs, leaving behind a cold, hollow ache where Selene’s immense powe
