Malrik POV

“Your parents knew Ashflow would never be safe for me,” Ysolde said softly, her voice laced with gratitude that couldn’t quite hide the sorrow clinging to it.

“After everything that happened, they told me their doors in Silverlight would always be open. They saw what I couldn’t they knew I’d never truly be protected there. But not everyone shared that view.”

Her gaze fell, and she drew in a shaky breath.

“Drethos refused. He demanded that I remain, to care for ...