So he changed course—suggested there might be hope after all.
Too late. He'd already wasted his final chance.
Several days later, Alaric departed under the guise of an alliance negotiation. In truth, he was going to see Lily.
I watched the moon climb toward its peak, then scattered sleeping herbs across the den floor.
My runner arrived with word. Healer Rowan's voice carried steady through the message: "Everything's prepared."
I nodded and sent Alaric a scent-message:
"Alaric, your penance wins. You wanted to defend Lily? Fine. Take everything."
"Take my life too."
At that same moment, his message-stone hummed insistently on the bedside ledge.
