Nova’s POV
The next two days dragged. No attacks came, but the waiting felt worse than fighting. Every horn from the ridge made my stomach drop. Every shadow in the trees looked like it was moving. Alaric came and went on short patrols and quick council meetings. He always returned before full dark. He looked more tired each time. Dark circles under his eyes. Jaw always tight. He tried to smile when he saw me, but it never reached his eyes.
I kept the cabin clean. I scrubbed the table until my knuckles hurt. I washed his shirts in the basin. Anything to keep my hands busy so I would not think about the spikes, the howls, or the thing inside me that stayed quiet but never really slept.
I did not touch the garden again. Too scared someone would see. Too scared I would flip and take instea
