yah
jade pendant into a small pouch and secured it under my clothes, its coolness a solid presence aga
ckest blanket, and carefully maneuvered him onto m
heart a frantic drum against my ribs, when a
fr
come for us. Asher had sent guards to d
nsistent this time, followed
yah? It's
ly my knees went weak. I fumbled wit
n, and she clutched a small, lumpy bundle to her chest. She was the daughter of one of the pack's co
ck, the desperate resolve in my eyes. Understandin
Where are you going?" she w
lum to Veridia," I said, my voice steady de
s. She had heard what happened at the main house last
ad, she pushed her bundle into my hands. "Take this, Miss. It's
at her, s
me with you, Miss Aaliyah. Please. My parents are gone. Your mother was the one who took
had felt in what seemed like a lifetime. My own eyes burned with unshed tears. Th
mined face, I knew I cou
sharp nod, and
straps holding Ellum, making sure he was secure and as comfortable as possible.
gunshot. Every rustle of leaves was a guard's hand reaching for us. My heart didn't just race-it thundered, a desperate, primal rhythm that screamed: run, run, run. If we were caught now, there would be no second chances. Asher's pride would not survive a second rejection. He would lock us away. He
awn began to bleed across the horizon. Before us lay a small, sleepy t
main street, its windows dust
t up when he saw the jade pendant. He knew it was v
other teaching a visiting merchant about the clarity and color of good jade. I repeat
d to startle him. He grumbled, but his next offer was
a tired-looking horse. We stocked up on blankets, water, and more food. Faye helped me se
he reins
ge rattled onto the main road leading away from the town, aw
as a mixture of fear and exhilarat
out a soft moan. I reached back an
k with a promise that was also a prayer. "I've
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