As soon as Gavriel finished speaking with Zander and settling the remaining matters, he didn’t waste another second. He headed straight for the cottage where Althea was resting.

Night had already settled over the land, and warm light spilled softly from the windows.

When he stepped inside, he found Melva arranging dinner on the table where Althea sat waiting.

The moment Althea saw him, her face brightened. “You’re back. Come, let’s eat dinner together!” Her voice carried a kind of ...