Mira’s POV

Kael walked ahead, and the patrol was fading into the shadows behind us. The ridge opened to the valley, empty and tense. Kael didn’t look back. But I felt the weight of his restraint. Every unspoken word was heavier than the air.

There came a flash of light from nowhere. North ridge. Kael froze. He drew his blade. “Stay here,” he said. I shook my head. “We go together.” His jaw tightened. But he didn’t argue. We ran.

The woods swallowed us. The fire glowed weakly ...