The forest closed around us like a fist. Even the wolves, bred for shadow and silence, moved stiffly, as though the trees themselves pressed in with every step.
No one spoke much. Not even Kalen. His silence was worse than his barbs; it felt like a knife pressed against the back of my neck. Mira led at a steady pace, her eyes sharp as flint. Elid kept close to me, humming under his breath, old words I didn’t know.
“Prayers,” he said when he caught me listening. “The land listens better if you sing.”
My desire to inquire about his meaning was suppressed by Thorn's presence at my side. He walked close, shoulder brushing mine, gaze flicking to every rustle, every broken branch. I was reminded that even if the trees became hostile, I wasn't alone when his hand briefly touched my wrist.
The
