they had rented for their stay. The room was spacious, yet the air was tense, charged wit

the forest beyond the village, but his mind replayed the moment he had caught her scent. It wasn't just the all

wood. His green eyes glittered with curiosity. "That's obvious, brot

room, the tension in his body coiled like a spring. "It doesn't matter wh

is gray eyes softened as he spoke, a small smile curving his lips. "We can't just storm in and claim her

f we frighten her, we risk losing her. B

e Adolphus moved to answer it. He opened the door to reveal a young boy, no older than twelve, clutchi

," the boy said, h

closing the door. He unfolded the paper, reading the hastily

ith each word. "'Leave her be, or face t

n confusion. "A hunter? I

making it shake. "I don't care who thi

bout her guardian. If he's a hunter, he could be dangerous, a

a gleam in his eyes. "Then we start diggi

-

ling from the market still clung to her, a mix of warmth and an inexplicable sense of longing. She sat

said softly, her voice

r. But beneath the warmth was a flicker of something else

all night, dreams filled with flashes of intense eyes and

aping of the arrowhead halting. "Drea

over the men in her dream, as though speaking of the

always made her feel as though he could see right through h

r overly cautious without reason. "I won't," she promised,

-

Farkas moved silently through the marketplace, ears tuned to the whispers of traders and villagers. He

oung women who giggled at his sly smiles and flirtatious banter. But

mith's forge, eyes scanning the faces of those who passed,

village square, speaking to merchants and children alike. His questions we

rned. Farkas frowned, the crease in his brow deepening. "She's known as Thomas's daugh

r is more than he seems. Some say he's faced w

dealing with a man who knows how to fight

n't just see this as a fight. If she's really our ma

carefully. We learn more, we watch, and when

-