THE SILENT WOODSThe trek toward the quarry was slow. The snow was deep, and every step felt like a battle against the earth itself. Esmeralda walked a few paces ahead of the guards, her mind heavy. She needed a moment. Just a moment where she wasn't "The Queen" or "The Savior."

"Demetrius," she said, stopping near a cluster of frozen pines. "Give me five minutes. I just need to breathe without someone watching my back."

Demetrius frowned, looking at the dense treeline. "Esme, we’re in ...