Chapter 160

Maren

The trail down the ridge feels like it’s been waiting for us.

Not in the romantic, destiny way—more like the mountain already knew where our feet would land and is mildly annoyed we took so long to start walking.

Pine needles crunch under my boots. The air is sharp with cold, but there’s a steady warmth braided into it too, like heat is threaded through the stone itself. Kaelen walks a half