The snow was falling harder by the time Ronan and I reached the path leading back toward the village. Thick flakes drifted in slow spirals, collecting on branches and turning the ground bright white. It should have been peaceful.
It was not.
I was still vibrating with frustration. The incident at the lake. The creature at the border. The way Ronan kept standing too close, then pulling away like I burned him. My father shutting down. The constant secrets tightening around me like invisible chains.
So of course I opened my mouth and said something stupid.
“You know what your problem is,” I snapped. “You treat me like a child.”
Ronan stopped walking.
Just stopped.
His breath fogged in the cold air. His shoulders went rigid. He turned slowly, and the look he gave me was not one I had se
