Elara’s POV
The psychic image that came from Lyra’s warning burned in my mind: dark figures moving through familiar trees, torches in hand, heading for the clearing I had come to take as a home. The Heartwood. My first safe place. My Sanctuary.
“We have to leave. Now,” I said, already grabbing my pack.
Lucian was a statue of controlled fury. “It has been a hard five days’ run. Even if we push, we’ll end up being too late.”
Selene stepped forward, her ancient eyes grave. “The Silvermane do not have many fast riders, but we have a few. The Ice Runners.” She gestured, and two lean, fierce-looking warriors with pale blue eyes appeared from the shadows. “They can carry a bonded pair, sharing speed and strength through touch. If the bond is strong enough to sustain them,they can make the jou
