#Chapter 84: The Village

Elara

Draken’s arm stayed firmly around my shoulders as we walked into the village, his touch steadying me as my boots crunched softly against the snow-covered path. The crisp air nipped at my cheeks, but it wasn’t the cold that had my heart racing.

It was the stares.

They came from everywhere. Windows opened, doors creaked, and heads turned as we passed. Like we were some kind of spectacle. An