Page 185 of Daughter of the Serpent

“I told you,” Haldor snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. “He could never be trusted.”

Axel stood motionless.

Not chasing.

Not retreating.

Only watching her. Eyes dark. Chest heaving.

She reached out, fingers trembling - desperate, aching - grasping for some semblance of him.

Some part that was still real.

Still hers.

She tried to hold on to the version of him she had known, the one who hadn’t just shattered into the night along with her heart.

But when Haldor pulled her back, her feet dragging, her soul screaming, she didn’t resist.

She could only hold his gaze - those eyes that once belonged to the man she loved - and watch as he slipped into shadow, taking with him every promise, every hope, and every desperate dream.

Haldor hadn’t loosened his grip the entire walk back. Even now, as the night deepened and the temple’s silhouette loomed ahead, he kept her close - like he feared she might vanish if he let go.

But he didn’t lead her to the temple gates.

Even he knew better.

Everywhere felt dangerous now. And there was only one place left that might be safe enough to weather the night.

Sylvie’s chest ached as they trudged through the dark forest toward Godvick’s home. Every step twisted the blade deeper, each one dragging her thoughts back to Axel. To what she’d seen.

Her throat burned from swallowing it all down.

Godvick stood at the doorway, his eyes meeting hers.

“Sylvie,” he said - soft, warm, familiar. His voice wrapped around her like a blanket she didn’t know she needed.

And just like that, her strength broke.

She collapsed into his arms, shaking, no longer able - no longer willing - to keep it together.

“What happened?” he asked, voice taut with concern as his eyes flicked to Haldor over her shoulder.

“Too much,” Haldor muttered, shoving past them into the home like a storm barely contained.

Godvick guided Sylvie inside and shut the door behind them with a soft but final thud.

“Can she stay here?” Haldor asked, his voice tight, pacing like a caged wolf.

“Of course.” Godvick’s frown deepened. “What’s going on?”

He led Sylvie to the fire, his hands gentle as he draped a blanket around her shoulders.

She leaned closer to the flames, needing their warmth. Needing something that felt like comfort.

“Axel,” Haldor said, spitting the name like poison. “The Hazier. He’s betrayed us. Betrayed her. Just like I warned.”

“We don’t know that!” Sylvie snapped, her voice cracking on the edge of desperation.