Chapter 42
The cold in the northern mountains was harsher than anything they had faced before. It cut through their clothes easily, sharp enough to make every breath feel thin and heavy in Ariana's chest. Even the wind sounded quieter here, as if the mountains absorbed everything that didn't belong. The silence wasn't peaceful. It felt intentional.
Ariana sat near the edge of a narrow ridge, her arms wrapped loosely around her knees as she looked up at the sky. The stars seemed closer here, brighter and clearer, scattered across the darkness like something untouched. It should have felt calming after everything they had survived, but it didn't. The stillness in the air felt like something waiting.
A few steps away, Kael stood with his attention fixed on their surroundings. He didn't sit, didn't relax, and didn't let his guard down. Even in silence, he stayed ready, his posture steady and alert. It was as if he didn't trust this place to stay quiet.
