Kael doesn’t say a word on the walk back. He just escorts me through the trees, jaw tight, eyes forward. When we reach his bedroom, he opens the door, gestures me inside, and leaves without looking back.
The door clicks shut behind me.
I’m alone again.
I sink onto the bed, hugging my knees. My legs still ache from running. My lungs still feel tight. My pride hurts the most. I thought I was smart enough to escape. Turns out I didn’t even make it off his land.
Hours pass. The sun shifts across the floor. I pace. I sit. I lie down. I stare at the ceiling. I think about trying the door again, but the memory of those guards outside stops me cold.
I’m starting to wonder if Kael plans to leave me in here forever.
A soft knock breaks the silence.
Before I can answer, the door swings open an
