I should probably explain what really happened. But how will he respond when he learns about Solomon?

The warmth of our linked fingers burn my skin with a thousand unspoken accusations that prickle at my conscience.

"I didn't stop looking. I had scouts in the area, keeping an eye on your father's home as much as they could, but we've historically had a problem keeping any scouts alive in Blackwood territory. We escalated the issues we had, brought our problems to Council, trying to escalate ...