The next morning, Ember slept in, and Kaya had to plead to carry out both of their duties to earn Ember some time off. The guards were strict, but on seeing Ember’s condition, they granted Kaya’s wish.
Raphael was on watch duty in the far east of the border, running patrols in his wolf form, which left Kaya alone to handle the morning chores. It wasn’t unusual for Ember to shield her from trouble, so without her presence, Kaya felt exposed. But she had convinced herself she could manage as It was just a few hours, and if she kept her head down and worked quickly, she could manage unnoticed.
She was quietly trimming the hedges near the training ground, the snapping of the shears blending into the far sound of men sparring, when the moment she dreaded arrived. A shadow fell over her, and b
