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Queen Rolfe’s gaze switched to us, first landing on her son, the undertone of affection in her gaze It was subtle, but it was there, on the surface When her gaze shifted to one, replaced by a bitter dose of indifference

I held her stare, refusing to be intimidated by anyone, even her

She pulled her look away then regarded her youngest son “I leave the outpost to you, son I know you’ll protect our people” Her hands cupped his cheeks, and she pressed a kiss to his forehead Then her arms surrounded him for a quick embrace “I’ll see you soon”

Ian gave a nod “Travel safely, Your Highness”

Huntley approached his brother next, and they exchanged a long look, a stare packed ords that didn’t need to be spoken “Be safe”

“I wish I could come with you Be the shield at your back”

Huntley’s hand went to his shoulder “You are—always” He pulled him in for an embrace and placed a quick kiss on his forehead

The whole exchange h ere never affectionate like that

I was too busy watching theht up tothe saenuine hate “Just re you, even when you think I’m not Give me a reason to kill you—because I only need one”

Queen Rolfe and her guards had their own horses, but Huntley and I shared one

I didn’t ainst Huntley’s back and enjoy the scenery around us It wasa weathered trail that had been traveled round, so the snow from the storm must have already melted

That was a good sign

Once we broke through the forest, the mountains were in view, far to the east

When I turned around to see the cliffs, I saw nothing but a distant gray wall, like the sun was covered by storm clouds It was hard to believe that mountains existed at the bottom of the cliffs, but their sumh the clouds at Delacroix

It was a long ride, all through the day, only stopping for short breaks

At nightfall, we stopped, but only when visibility was so poor that it would be dangerous to keep going

It was a cloudless night, so the stars were bright, and the air was cold without the blanket on the sky

Huntley tied the horse to a tree and prepared the bedroll on the ground

Queen Rolfe did the sauards a short distance away

There wasn’t a hot ht, and ere back to our dried meats, fruits, and nuts We couldn’t risk a fire, so it was a cold night, and I missed the fireplace in that cabin that had been a temporary oasis

Still in his arround, his short swords at his hips

I pulled the blanket tothe hardness of his skin to the hardness of his arood pillow, but not with the metal plates there But it was still war to sleep like that?”