The next day passed more slowly than any day I could remember.
Every chore felt endless.
Every hour stretched like a lifetime.
By sunset, my heart was beating so hard I could barely think.
Tonight.
I was going back into the northern forest.
All day I had tried to convince myself not to go.
Seraphine had almost lost her life protecting me.
The warriors with the crimson crescent could still be searching for me.
If I returned…
I might never come back.
But if I didn’t…
I might never learn the truth.
After supper, I quietly climbed the stairs to my attic room.
I waited.
Mother and Father retired for the night.
Tristan’s loud laughter drifted from downstairs before the house finally fell silent.
I wrapped a dark cloak around my shoulders and slipped the silver ring onto my finge
