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"They rarely get fresh meat anymore," Aether called back.

"They're chasing that deer?" My stomach lurched as we plummeted toward the ground.

"Unfortunately. They'll eat anything."

The Vördr crashed through the canopy, branches snapping beneath their massive wings. We emerged into a living forest—actual green trees, not the twisted husks I'd grown used to seeing. Tryggar's hooves thundered against the earth as he gave chase, Nihr right beside him. The deer bounded ahead, weaving between trees until the thickness of the forest finally forced it out of sight. Both Vördr slowed, snorting in frustration before lowering their heads to the grass at their feet, tearing it from the earth.

"Doesn't take much for them to abandon their better sense," I breathed, trying to calm my racing heart now that there was ground beneath us.

"Food is certainly a motivator," Aether responded, adjusting his positioning on the saddle.

"What are you doing?" he asked as I slid from Tryggar's back. "We're still in Draxon. We need to leave."

I watched the Vördr devour the grass, their movements almost frantic. It hit me then—they probably hadn't eaten anything truly fresh in a long time.

"Let them eat. We can spare a few minutes." I started walking, taking in the vibrant forest around us. "Besides, we're in the middle of nowhere."

"Fia." His tone carried irritation.

"I'm sure they'll alert us if they sense anything close."

An audible sigh escaped him, but I heard his boots hit theground behind me. He followed as I wandered deeper into the trees, never straying too far.

I stopped at a bramble bush, leaning down to examine what looked like iridescent bubbles clustered on its branches. "What are these?"

Aether moved to crouch beside me, plucking one of the berries and popping it into his mouth. "Rainberries. Try one."

I watched as he grabbed a few more, then held out his hand. I took one, studying its translucent surface before tasting it. Sweetness burst across my tongue, followed by something lighter—like drinking fresh spring water on a hot day. After months of stale bread and rice, it was almost overwhelming.

"Esprithe," I breathed, grabbing a handful.

We settled onto the grass, and I felt the breeze stir my hair—actual wind, not the stale air of the fortress or the bitter cold of high altitude. The forest around us was a riot of life. Leaves rustled overhead, their edges tinged with amber and gold. Tiny purple flowers dotted the ground between tree roots, and somewhere nearby, water trickled over stones. It felt impossible that this could exist in the same realm as the wasteland we'd left behind.

"It's beautiful," I said softly, taking it all in.

"It is."

I glanced over to find his eyes fixed on my lips. We locked gazes for a moment before both quickly looking away. Heat crept up my neck as I focused intently on a nearby flower.

"It all used to look like this," he finally said. "This entire region."

"It reminds me a bit of Sídhe, actually. The forests surrounding Luminaria." I peeked over in his direction, noticing how still he had become.

"What did you do before the Guard?" he asked, twisting a blade of grass through his fingers.

"I worked in an apothecary." I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "For a woman, Maladea. We all called her Ma."

I felt his eyes on me again, studying me curiously.

"What?" I asked.

"Awfully mundane." He let out a laugh. "It surprises me."

"That used to be my whole life. Mundane monotony. It was safe and I was content." I looked down, remembering that girl. "Feels like a lifetime ago."

"Time does seem to have that effect." He shrugged.

"Life in Sídhe wasn't easy. Especially before the guard." I motioned towards my Riftborne branding.