Elara’s POV
The knock came before dawn.
I was already awake, sitting on the edge of my narrow bed, staring at the grey light seeping through the window. I hadn’t slept much, too many thoughts, too many what-ifs. But when the knock came, my heart didn’t jump.
It steadied.
“Elara.” Dorian’s voice, low and calm. “It’s time.”
I stood up, pulled on the clothes I had laid out the night before, leggings, a thick tunic, boots that had seen better days and opened the door. Dorian stood in the hallway, a lantern in one hand, his dark hair tousled. He looked like he had been awake for hours.
“Ready?” he asked.
“No.”
“Good. Honesty is the first step.”
He turned and walked down the stairs. I followed. The lodge was dark and quiet. The fire in the main hearth had burned down to embers. Dorian g
