Harun tried not to shy away from that thought too much. The obviously s****l nature of the vampire’s interest in Kelwyn made him worry about what might have happened, but he couldn’t go back in time and prevent it, he could only try as best he could to help Kelwyn deal with whatever had been done to him.
He found a good spot, a clearing well off the road, partially surrounded by a thicket of blackberry bushes, a black tangle of mostly leafless brambles at this time of year. A heavy-branched fir tree leaned over it, making a clear spot in the dusting of snow, blanketed with a little dry grass. Harun halted there. “Here, we should rest for a while.”
“Okay.” Kelwyn’s voice was flat, exhausted as he slid off Harun’s back, then staggered, getting used to his feet again after riding for so lon
