eerie field of memories but standing in what appeared to be a quaint cottage a very poorly constructed one. The walls leaned at odd angles, and the

smirk, "it seems the forest's idea of a tr

t in his golden eyes. "Don't underestimate the forest. I

journey. She let herself enjoy it, though, the levity easing the knot of a

and a gust of wind carried a shower of flower petals into the room. Aurora blinked as a trio

ora whispered, her voic

set a pie down on the wobbly table. It then hopped up onto a chair and gestur

is lips twitching. "It se

rora deadpanned. "Sure. Wh

followed suit, his larger frame making the chair creak ominously. The foxes chattered among th

the desserts warily. "Or do we wait for

faintly of cinnamon and took a cautious bite. His expression shifted almost

a brow. "You

ie toward her, a mischi

her tongue sweet, warm, and impossibly rich. "Okay, this is unfai

k slightly. "Maybe the fore

otsteps heavy, deliberate, and very much human. Both of them tensed as the door

Aurora mutter

a version of him. The man standing in the doorway was identical to Silas, save for the smug

g with mockery. "Isn't this cozy? The great Silas, hero

, his golden eyes narr

the part of you that's tired of all this noble self-sacrifice nons

are we seriously dealing with an evil clone

il. I'm just honest. Unlike him." He poin

u want? "Si

th exaggerated pleasure. "Mmm. Delicious. Anyway, here's the deal. The Trial of the Veil is all about truth, right? So, here's some

nds curling into fists

rial is about you two. You're bound together now, whether you l

the pie in front of her very interesting. "Th

to Silas, his tone softening. "You're afraid of losing her. I get it. B

icked to Aurora, and for a moment, the walls

oice steady despite the whirlwind o

, then nodde

raid of the forest, or the trials, or even the Blood Moon. Bu

ened, and he took a ste

rk here is done." With that, he dissolved into a cloud

between them charged with unspoken words. Then, slowly

he said softly.

swelling. "Good. Becaus

e, the trials seemed, for the first time, l