|| Lilac’s POV ||

The forest beyond Alaric's packhouse was alive with the scent of damp earth and pine, the towering trees casting long shadows across the narrow dirt path. Alaric walked ahead of me, his broad shoulders blocking most of the afternoon sun, his strides purposeful but unhurried. I trailed behind, my fingers brushing against the ferns that lined the trail, their leaves cool and slightly damp beneath my touch.

"She doesn’t see many outsiders," Alaric said, ...