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The door creaked open just as my fingers closed around another set of scrolls. I grabbed them, praying that one of them held the layout to Stormshire—that this hadn't been for nothing. Quickly, just as footsteps rounded the corner, I shifted into darkness, catching a glimpse of an emerald uniform before following Aether through the wall and into the night.

Why was a royal guard in Laryk's room?

We raced across rooftops and through alleyways until we reached the familiar street behind the Apothecary. The greenhouse loomed ahead, its glass panels reflecting moonlight. Behind it, nestled between herb gardens and storage sheds, we found the crate of healing potions.

Aether lifted it easily, and we made our way through the citytoward the Grove. My heart didn't slow its frantic beating until we reached the trees, their branches offering welcome cover as we began searching for the Vördr.

"Tryggar?" I whispered into the darkness, scanning between the trees. Beside me, Aether moved with lethal silence, but the tension rolling off him was almost palpable.

Unable to stand the weight of it any longer, I pulled out the scrolls with trembling fingers.Please let it be here.The first two were supply lists, the third a report on Guard rotations. But the fourth—I nearly gasped as I unrolled it. Stormshire's layout spread before me in precise detail, every corridor and chamber carefully marked.

"I have it," I breathed, a smile breaking across my face.

Aether said nothing. His jaw was set, eyes fixed ahead as we waded deeper into the forest.

"I know I cut it close," I admitted, "but it was worth it. Now we're not entirely blind."

He gave a single nod, but the movement looked pained, like he was barely containing something darker.

I rushed forward, placing myself in front of him. He stopped just before we collided, but wouldn't meet my eyes.

"What's wrong?" I asked. His jaw tightened further as he stepped back, running a hand through his hair and letting out a long, slow breath.

The silence stretched between us, broken only by leaves rustling overhead. When he finally looked at me, the intensity in his eyes made me feel like I was drowning in molten gold.

"I'm happy you found what you were looking for," he said, his voice carefully level as he brushed past me.

I turned to follow, catching sight of Tryggar's silver form materializing through the trees. Aether walked straight for Nihr, and Tryggar let out a warning growl as he passed. Aether ignored it completely.

"Not now," I whispered as Tryggar stomped excitedly at my approach. "Someone's in a mood." I watched Aether mount his Vördr in one fluid motion, his shoulders rigid beneath his leathers.

The forest opened up ahead, giving the Vördr enough space to spread their massive wings. We took to the sky in silence, climbing until we disappeared into the clouds. For an hour we flew, the tension so thick I could barely breathe. Anger radiated from Aether's direction, but I didn't dare press him further.

The clouds provided excellent cover, but they also obscured the land below. I dipped beneath them briefly, my eyes falling onto a silver ribbon cutting through darkness—the Sprithe River. My heart dropped as memories rushed back—watching helplessly as my friends drowned in those currents, victims of the very Guard I'd later joined. I forced the thoughts away, scanning North until I spotted Obsidia's windmills turning lazily in the night air, thick forests sprawling behind them.

We landed in those woods without being seen, then moved like smoke through the sleeping village. The inn appeared ahead—a weathered two-story building at the edge of town, warm light spilling from its windows.

"I'll get us a room," I said, already pulling up my hood to hide my distinctive hair. "Stay out here."

Aether's expression darkened. "That's not?—"

"You'll draw too much attention," I cut him off. Those golden eyes and void burns would be impossible to hide. People would certainly havequestions. After a moment of clear internal struggle, he melted back into the shadows.

I pushed open the heavy wooden door, a bell chiming softly overhead. The common room was mostly empty—a few farmers nursing ales in the corner, an old man dozing by the hearth. Worn tables and chairs filled the space, and the whole room smelled of pipe smoke and cooking meat.

Behind a scarred wooden counter, a woman with gray-streakedhair looked up from her ledger. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in my cloaked figure.

"Need a room?" she asked, her voice carrying that Northern lilt I remembered from those that visited Luminaria for solstices, filtering into the apothecary for tonics toboosttheir experience.

"Just for the night," I said, keeping my head slightly bowed. "We'll be gone before first light."

Her eyebrow lifted atwebut she didn't comment. "Two silvers," she said, already reaching for a key. "Up the stairs, last door on the right. Extra blankets in the chest if you need them." She paused. "No funny business, mind. These walls are thin as paper."

I felt heat rush to my face as I handed over the coins. "Of course not."

She gave me a knowing look that only made me blush harder, then turned back to her ledger. I clutched the key and hurried toward the stairs, painfully aware of how the old wood creaked beneath my feet.

The room was small but clean, with a narrow bed, a decent sized chair by the hearth, and a window overlooking the forest. Perfect for a quick escape if needed. I moved to the glass and just as I was about to open it, Aether materialized beside me, still radiating that careful distance that made my chest ache.