The forest edge met the riverbank in a tangle of reeds and shadows, a narrow strip where the village’s mundane world faded into wild, untamed nature. Elara approached cautiously, heart hammering, aware of the villagers in the distance yet too close for comfort. The bond pulsed through her, insistent, alive, a thread pulling her toward him with every step.He was there, already waiting, half-hidden in shadow, the silver of moonlight glinting off his hair, eyes shimmering like liquid starlight. ...