A twig snaps behind me. “You’re brooding again.”
I don’t turn at Seth’s voice as he emerges from the tree line. “She’s sleeping.”
“Good.” He settles beside me, his eyes automatically checking Astra’s breathing and taking in the way her face looks less pinched than it did yesterday. “How is she?”
“She woke up today. Spoke.” I keep my voice low, careful not to disturb her. “But Andrew did a lot of damage.”
Seth nods grimly. We both know I’m not talking about her physical injuries, which healed days ago under the royal healer’s magic. It’s the wounds to her soul that will take time to mend.
If they ever do.
After a minute or two, Leon steps out of the shadows with his usual silent grace. My other closest friend surveys our makeshift camp, his sharp eyes noting the way I’ve positioned my
