Verity’s POV

The courtyard was quiet and peaceful. The kind of quiet that didn’t come with a threat, but with calm. Safety. I followed Caleb out, the sun warming my skin like a gentle kiss. I blinked up at the sky, unable to stop the small smile that stretched across my face. This was different. This was new.

We settled under a large tree whose leaves swayed softly in the breeze. I didn’t know its name, but I found myself staring up at it anyway, curious. My eyes traced the curve of ...