The tent flap opened again.
I flinched so hard my back scraped the pole. My heart slammed into my ribs like it wanted out. Every muscle locked. Breath stuck in my throat. I stared at the ground between my knees, waiting for the sound of chains, for boots to grab my arms, for the first rough hand to drag me into the snow.
But only one set of footsteps entered.
Kael.
He closed the flap behind him. The dim gray light from outside cut off. The tent darkened to near-night again. He stood still for a moment. I could feel his eyes on me. Heavy. Unmoving.
Then he crossed the space in four quiet steps.
I pressed harder against the pole. Couldn't breathe right. Couldn't look up.
He crouched in front of me.
I kept my gaze on the dirt floor.
His hand moved. Slow. Deliberate. Fingers brushed the chain at the back of my neck.
I froze.
He hooked one finger under the amulet. Lifted it away from my skin.
The moment the stone left my chest the bond roared awake.
Raw.
Hot.
