His green eyes search mine full of an emotion that I cannot quite discern. Could it be that he has feelings for me, like I do him? Or does he regret our kiss?
“Caelen, when we kissed, I—”
“You regret it,” he cuts me off. “I am sorry. I did not mean to take advantage of you while you were afraid and vulnerable.”
“Take advantage?” I ask, my voice rising in pitch. “What are you talking about? I kissed you back.”
“Yes, but you were in a vulnerable state,” he says. “I should not have—”
I press a finger to his lips to silence him. “Caelen, I do not—”
I stop short as a piercing howl echoes through the forest behind us.
Caelen’s eyes widen.
“Is it a Wolf shifter or simply a wolf?”
“I cannot tell,” he replies. “We should keep moving. We must get as far away from here as possible and find shelter for the night.”
“I agree.”
We move deeper into the woods. Shadows dance at the edge of my vision, filling me with concern.
When I glance at Caelen, however, and notice that he appears unconcerned about them, it helps calm some of my fears. We have not heard the wolf’s howl again, but the thought that the hunter could be tracking us worries me.
This area appears rather wild compared to the forest near the castle. Long, wiry branches pull at our clothing like skeletal hands, as if trying to ensnare us. The sounds of nocturnal creatures and insects fill the air.
Reflective eyes watch us warily as we pass, but none approach. The screech of an owl nearby startles me and I press myself closer to Caelen, knowing that his eyes can see much better than mine in the darkness.
He continually scans for any danger, as I remain silent beside him. I dare not disturb him with idle conversation. Especially knowing that the hunter could be closing in on our position even now.
The sound of rushing water reaches my ears and sparks hope in my chest. I used to study maps of Eryadon when I was a child. The border between our kingdom and Solwyck’s was the Merlyan River. I turn to Caelen. “If my memory of this area is correct, there’s a wide river up ahead. If we can find a way to cross, it should make it harder for the hunter to track us.”
He nods. “Let us hurry then. We can find somewhere to shelter on the opposite side.”
