Cold.
That was the first thing I became aware of.
It slipped beneath my collar and bit at my cheeks until consciousness clawed its way to the surface. I frowned and burrowed deeper into whatever warm thing I was leaning against.
The warm thing rumbled.
My eyes snapped open.
For one disorienting second I had no idea where I was. Then I felt the horse beneath me and the arms cocooning me, and memory came back all at once.
Oh God.
I had fallen asleep on him.
I sat up so abruptly the horse neighed in protest. Varul's hand settled immediately at my waist. "Careful."
The cold hit me properly then. I sucked in a sharp breath. My breath fogged in front of me.
The air felt sharper. Older.
Like it had been here long before people and intended to remain long after.
I looked up.
The tree
