epped between Kael and the beast, cloaked in shimmering fabric that reflected the torchlight like moonwater

are you?" he dem

d ancient. "This forest and this castle are trials, not

forest grew from the magic that spilled into the land. The curse waited for someone brav

ftly, "but your heart has strength few po

inal trial hidden at the forest's core. Truths

h sunlight. The castle trembled faintly, as though awakening. A

and revelation. And despite t