The fig tree.
The winding river.
The same young man sat beneath the tree, sunlight filtering through leaves like liquid gold. Those same eyes, almond-shaped and familiar, watched her with warmth that struck deeper than comfort.
“Brielle, my child.”
She stepped closer. “Why do I keep coming here? How do I wake?”
He only smiled.
“Who are you?” she demanded, but before he could answer, the rustle behind her came again.
She turned, breath catching.
The same eyes. Her eyes.
Her eyes, on the largest wolf she had ever seen. Its coat glowed an iridescent pale silver, kissed by dawn, rippling with veins of glacier-blue light.
The wolf’s voice rolled through her like thunder.
“Rise.”
Bri woke with a start.
Where had she heard that voice?
Her heart slammed once, twice, then steadied. Sh
