Nova’s POV
Alaric woke me before dawn. Hand gentle on my shoulder. Voice low.
“Get up. We’re going out.”
I blinked. Still half asleep. “Now?”
“Yeah. Need to clear my head. You need air. Come with me.”
I sat up. Rubbed my eyes. He was already dressed. Boots on. Coat open. Knife at his belt. He looked restless. Like the walls were closing in.
I pulled on boots. One of his old shirts over my tunic. Grabbed a cloak. He waited by the door. When I was ready he took my hand. Pulled me out into the cold.
The settlement was still dark. Lights low in some cabins. Guards on the ridge. We slipped past the outer line. No one stopped us. Alaric nodded once to the sentry. The man nodded back. Said nothing.
We walked east. Past the last houses. Into the trees. The forest smelled like damp earth an
