Petal's POV

The forest was still dripping from dawn when we began to move again.

The rain had stopped hours ago, but every leaf that brushed against my arm was cold and wet, and the air smelled of pine sap and smoke. I walked behind Aslaan, matching his pace as best I could, though every step sent pain slicing up my legs.

He hadn’t said a word since morning.

Neither had I.

The silence stretched so long that it began to hum in my ears. His cloak shifted as he moved, dark and heavy against ...