Malion came down from the ridge just as the last lanterns were being lit along the road.
The horses were restless.
They felt it too.
He heard the muttered voices before he reached the carriages.....guards speaking in low, uneasy tones, one of them glancing nervously toward the darkening treeline.
"She needs to ride with you," one said, swallowing. "It's safer."
Malion's jaw tightened.
Of course it was.
He turned toward the first carriage.
Aurelia was already halfway out of it, cloak wrapped tight around her shoulders, eyes sharp despite the exhaustion etched into her face.
"No," she said immediately. "I won't."
Her refusal was automatic, instinctive, like a blade drawn without thought.
Malion didn't argue at first. He just watched her.
Watched the way her fingers trembled faintly as they clenched the fabric. Watched the shadows beneath her eyes, the brittle resolve holding her upright.
