The road north stretched quiet under a low gray sky. Residual monitors stayed flat the entire journey. No spikes, no shadows trailing the small escort. Aiden rode near the front with Elizabeth at his side.
Two temple guards and Kaelara followed at a measured distance. The neutral waystation sat a full day's ride from the temple grounds. They left at first light and would reach it near dusk.
Conversation stayed thin. Orders to the guards, checks on the horses, the occasional update from the lead scout. Nothing personal.
The air between Aiden and Elizabeth carried the weight of the last few nights without naming it. She kept her posture straight, eyes on the road, but her glances at him lasted longer than necessary.
He felt the same pull. The private intensity of the temple rooms still sat in his body. Here, on open ground with limited cover and no locked doors, it had nowhere to go.
