It didn’t take long for the fear to set in. Not in me—in them. My warriors. My scouts. Even the elders who’d seen far more winters than I. The Reaper King hadn’t attacked, but his appearance had done something worse. He had let us see him. He’d let us feel his power without ever raising a claw.
A message.
And I’d heard it loud and clear: You’re not ready.
But we would be.
By nightfall, I’d ordered double rotations at the borders. I met with every division captain myself, walked the walls, inspected the warding circles, retrained the spellcasters. There was no rest. Not now. Not until I knew Heather was safe.
Even now, I could still feel her heartbeat through the bond. Still hear that howl.
The stone was sealed beneath the war hall, surrounded by silver-threaded barriers and guarded b
