For the first time since I’d woken up, the broken, hollow pieces of me were fitting together.
Even if they were going to destroy me.
Now that I’d read the journal, it was time to make a decision.
And I had.
I was going.
I was going to help in whatever way I could to find Wolfe.
I might not remember how I’d felt about him… but I couldn’t abandon him.
I owed it to the version of myself who wrote the journal to help in whatever way I could.
I’d heard him calling to me.
So, he had to be alive.
For now.
I exhaled and stood, stripped out of my dress, and pulled on a simple tunic and trousers. Then I grabbed my satchel and placed the journal inside, along with the seal.
The next thing I had to do was talk to my family.
It was still early. They’d be in bed. And Thayden was still here.
I had to wait for him to leave.
The one thing I had on my side was the early hour. He said he was leaving at first light. That meant he wouldn’t come up here and check on me.
At least, I hoped he wouldn’t. If he did, I’d slide into bed and pretend to be asleep.
I moved to the window and sat on the window seat, waiting.
The yard below lay quiet. Everything was still, waiting with me.
With nothing else to do, I decided to read the letter I’d written to my family.
The words were steadier than I felt now. I’d told them everything, especially about Father. I’d also asked for their forgiveness for my decision to live in Galaythia. I still planned to give them the letter, but I’d be leaving here with or without their blessing.
Time stretched, until a door slammed somewhere below. Voices drifted up on the wind. All male.
Then I heard him—Thayden.
My pulse kicked. I leaned closer to the glass, my breath shallow.
Thayden emerged first, dressed in his guard leathers. Two of his men followed, then another.
He said something that made them laugh, then mounted his horse in one smooth motion, not looking back at the house. Not looking up.
He rode forward, and he and his men disappeared around the corner.
I waited, listening to the creak of the gates and hooves striking stone.
I listened until the sound faded into the distance and the silence settled again.
Only when the last echo of them had died did I move, relief and resolve tangling inside my chest.
