They broke camp before sunrise.
Snow fell in soft spirals as Leo led them west, toward the outlaw territories.
The path narrowed through frostbitten ravines. No banners flew here. No law ruled these lands. Only exile, and those desperate enough to survive it.
Seph rode beside him in silence, her face half-veiled, her thoughts elsewhere.
“You're quiet," Leo said at last.
She glanced over. “So are you."
“I keep thinking," he muttered, “what happens if the bond fails. If I step too far away from you, or—"
“Then we spiral," she said simply. “Our minds collapse."
He studied her. “That happened last night, didn't it? When I dreamed of the cliff."
She nodded. “My memories bled into yours."
“You were humming."
“I didn't realize."
He smirked faintly. “You always hum when you're worried.
