~IAN~

The morning came too quickly. The light of it was cold, purple and cruel. And when the heavy door groaned open, I was still seated by the small fire they allowed to burn in the hearth, staring into its belly like it could offer an escape.

Kaelric entered, his cloak snapping like a banner behind him. For a moment, I thought it was someone else. His eyes were darker than usual, his jaw set like carved rock.

"You assaulted Lazhara?" he said, his tone more like an accusation than a ...