ARIA
The moment it happened, my body reacted before my thoughts did. I stood up fast. Kael had accused me of having no loyalty. That cut deep. I was not going to let it stand.
“They helped us,” I said, steady but sharp. “We would not have made it this far without them. Their healer made it possible for me to travel without knee pain. I don’t wake up sick every morning anymore. They fed us. They gave us a place to sleep. They asked for nothing back. If you mean to hurt them...”
“I have helped you as well,” the witch cut in. Her voice was calm, but it carried weight. “I could have killed you the moment you crossed into my land. Instead, I tried to frighten you away. I also saved this boy’s life.”
“But you are asking something from us,” Kael said. His tone was tight, controlled, but wary
