The morning of the Council's arrival dawned clear and cold. I stood on the porch of our cabin, watching my breath cloud in the crisp air, trying to quiet the storm in my chest. Three days had passed since the mating ceremony—three days of awkward coexistence with Kieran, of planning and preparation, of dread building like a thunderhead on the horizon.
Today Marcus would arrive with the Council representatives. Today he would report back to Victoria. Today our protection would be tested.
"You should be inside," Kieran said, appearing in the doorway behind me. "It's freezing out here."
I turned to face him, signing, Needed some air.
He nodded, understanding without me having to explain. Over the past three days, we'd developed a strange sort of rhythm—sharing meals, planning for the Coun
