Painted Solace

ROWAN’S POV

We walk slowly through the woods, Mateo matching his pace to mine. He doesn’t ask questions or push for explanations. He guides me toward the main house with a patience I didn’t know he possessed.

He settles me on a couch in a room I don’t recognize — some kind of sitting room, all warm wood and soft lighting. Then he disappears for a moment and returns with a blanket, a cup of tea, a