ling fog that clung to their boots. Night had fully cloaked Ashbourne by the time they reached the forest's edge. The lodge stood ahead like a watchful

he worn pages of the grimoire now open before her. Her mind spun with the weight of what she had seen. Silas

eft," he said after a long mo

ut not unreadable. "I'm still making sens

s it enough to b

one act of betrayal. It was layered-shaped by fear, sorrow, and a long history of division. What I sa

aid," Silas fi

id of her love. Afraid of what

"So they cursed us

now. "They cursed you becau

ven. It predates even the First Circle. These runes, though faded and partially eras

ved beside her, brow furrowed wi

ll in love-they made something powerful. The curse wasn't just about revenge or preventing a union. It was a s

dropped. "

ction might be awakening deeper layers of the cu

opped once, sharp and sudden, like a heartbeat. Silas looked at her-truly looked,

om grief and rage," he murmured.

ne corner of her mouth lift

en like someone who's t

sudden knock struck the l

ed the door cautiously. Willow stood on the other side, her cloak soake

said, breathless. Her ga

reaching for her s

"From the grove. The elder

ood ran co

dded, "They know you've

around the strap. "How cou

ed. "But they're angry. Furio

without hesitation. "S

brow. "You want to walk in

e said firmly, "I'll wa

her pulse thudding in her e

the light of the moon. Lanterns hung from branches, swinging gently in the night breeze, casting long and shifting shadows on the forest floor.

ed forward,

mmoned forces far beyond your station. You entere

n said clearly. "About the

snapped. "You desecrated holy g

er, but held his place a

istorted. You feared what her love represented. You turned

ppled throu

d ghosts," one elder sc

rse harms more than the wolves. It harms us. It binds our future t

ilence f

voice rang out

ood. "We've been afraid too long. Maybe it

nother voice whispe

d glances-some hard

silence with memory? Then bring proof. Let the Hollow

ight

cle dis

window, arms folded, watching the mist

d beside her. "Cou

e said. "Afraid of w

" he replied wit

eant what you said earlier? A

t every

en if it means binding

sitate. "Esp

rounding them, there was no curse-only two hearts, stand