CHAPTER ONEDestination
“The labyrinth is a dreadful idea.” I walked behind Limah as he picked his way through the forest. It seemed scrubbier after the constant snow, the pines bowing their elegant heads beneath the weight collecting on their boughs.
“It’s safe.” Ever loath to waste words, he forged ahead, a crown of sleet gathering on his dark curls.
“Limah!” My strangled cry arrested him and he spun to face me, an avalanche of white dust cascading onto the bridge of his regal nose. He blinked and shook it off.
“What?” He spread his arms out wide and searched my frightened expression for an explanation.
“I don’t want to. I can’t.” My hands fluttered over my lips, the thought of returning to the cloistered darkness making my stomach roil. “I won’t.” Taking a step backwards, I felt for
