roke just b

bandages streaked with dried blood. He looked steadier now-eyes clear, breathing slow, p

ve," she sa

r. "Not sure if

l next time someon

r something heavier. He looked at her differently now-like she

d. "They were shaking wh

ighter around herself. "

u were

tled. "Of c

rself," he s

ould. She stared at the fire instead, wat

t slowly, wincing as

e this before," he said. "Not just pai

d hard. "It'

't clai

dn't ha

at in

above the fire and poured two cups into cl

hey hit you with-it wasn't just meant to kill your

kno

it... wanted

at his cup. "

kind whispered behind backs-but the kind written into bloodli

here either," she sa

. "You're no

ce I was

hy

d me before I could even shift. So they left me outside th

ver go

s eyes. "W

ed, but he d

her pushing for more. Just breathing the same air,

y, she

e. Deeper shelter. We should mov

ore someone e

mile. "I've been hiding f

an and leaned on her shoulder without asking. She was smaller,

ey walked in

. She'd discovered it years ago while running from one of the patr

gainst the back w

ry. No sparks. Just the slo

unt," s

ouldn't

ever

speak while she cooked, didn't ask questions when she tossed

take his bowl, the

e

ust from

her hand. T

r thic

but because she wasn't ready. Not for what came with t

id no

at was

, she drea

f

with glo

of ash, a hundred voices chanting

le

rimso

Uncl

Re

sweat dripping

ing at the cave's mouth,

eep," she said

an

oined

ares?"

dded.

dn't

out into the forest

at last. "Three years ago.

rt clenched.

healers said the birth was cursed. That she

wed hard.

burned for a whil

And then I came here. To die, m

side him, close enough to feel t

didn'

ence betwee