*Rhys*

The air changed, and the forest felt different as if it sensed the disappearance of magic. My heart leaped. The concealment spell fell away.

With a growl bubbling from my throat, I signaled my warriors—the fiercest of my men—to surge forward. Our feet pounded against the earth in unison, each of us desperate to find Saoirse and bring her home.

"Stay alert!" I shouted as we moved quickly. "We don't know what awaits!"

As we breached the clearing ...