When I woke Haakon lay sleeping. He didn’t wake when I moved. He looked whole.
Ulf was gone, most likely checking for danger. It was time. Rising, I wrapped the pelt around my shoulders.
My feet squelched on the muddy leaves as I followed the hidden stream out of the ravine. The sun was high, and I was well and truly lost when I realized I was not alone.
Stomach quivering, I faced my tracker.
“How long have you been following me?”
In answer, Ulf walked towards me. His boots made no noise on the gravelly ground. He made no move to hide his ruined face as he took my wrist. I followed willingly, only hesitating when our camp came into sight. Haakon was awake and sitting up.
I’m sorry, I mouthed to him. His gentle gaze was more censure than I could bear.
“Are you going to punish me agai
