We rode through the gates at first light, horses steaming, snow crusting every cloak. My thighs burned from the long hours in the saddle and my back felt like it had been hammered flat, but I kept my spine straight until the mare stopped in the bailey.
Darius swung down first and reached up for me. I let him lift me, eight months of twins making the drop feel heavier than it should. My boots hit the packed snow and my knees almost buckled. Kane steadied me with one scarred hand at my elbow. Rylan was already handing the reins to a waiting stable hand, axe still strapped across his back.
Garrick met us at the steps, breath fogging. "No trouble while you were gone. The lower patrols held. But the pack felt it. They knew you went out after those prints."
