ling, and how to pretend she enjoyed conversations about weather. No one had taug

arm and pull him backward. Her third, which she actually did, was

n cloak, but she could see his mouth set in a grim line. His hands were steady

ed to shield Victoria. His voice came out

a

an kne

e been comforti

oosen. "I told you not to bring

choice," R

ys have a

this

ze like a cold wind. He studied her with the kind of look people gave b

, and barely able to stand. "If you plan to shoot us, do it quickly. I

, he lowered the bow just slightly.

a fraction. "She talks m

t him a look

l, we need shelter. She is injured. Trackers are searc

he bow over his shoulder and gestured sharply toward the trees. "Follow me.

ed to Rowan, "He

wan replied

him. "That w

kno

iendly. Either way, she was too tired to argue. Her hip throbbed. Her l

ely, his arm sliding arou

t need t

cto

e hurt more than her hip, bu

. The trees grew thicker here, the light dimmer. Moss covered the ground like a s

. He did not speak. He did not look back. He just walked with the c

e oak tree, built from branches, canvas, and what looked like stolen pieces of a torn wagon. A fire pit

ard a log near th

with a sigh of relief. Her body felt like i

hand resting lightly on her s

cloak tighter.

if it is ba

, not broken.

. Instead, he stood and turned to Kael

nts later with a leather pouch and a waterskin. He handed them

river," Kael said.

es

was st

d at him. "It

ffective are

argue, but Rowan inter

one place we agreed no one should come unless they were alread

ed. "I am sitt

aid flatly. "Ans

, confused. "What i

where people hide when they cannot go anywhere else. Kael has been living h

me," Victoria

es

now. He was not just a man with a bow. He was s

told me about you months ago. Said you might need help on

omise," Rowan

l of criminals and deserters. If her father's men find th

twisted. "I did not

shook his head. "You should be. But

ding a small fire with practiced efficiency. "

ous in their own way. If they find out she is Lord Halstead's d

lood went co

eutral. "Your father posted a reward this mornin

ll open. "Fi

ck," Kael said b

her hip. "Five hundred gold coins? I am worth m

orth more than that to him. The

. Enough to make her a target for every desperate person in Aveloria. She thought s

id you lower your bow? If I am worth t

ong moment. Then he said s

im. And because I know what it is like to

in the air, h

ack down slowl

t thank me yet. You are

ed to life, casting warm light across the cleari

know," he said. "Something you

art skipped.

ng his words carefully. "Your

ed at hi

s pois

orld

ands gripping the log beneath her. "N

an said quietly. "Your

ed. "Why would m

met he

ruth about your bloodline. And your