Alexei’s POV

The sun had climbed the sky, but Novel had yet to wake. I watched the steady, rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, a small comfort against the growing unease in my gut. Nearby, the white wolf still lurked in the shadows of the trees, a silent, watchful guardian. We couldn't afford to wait for Novel to stir before beginning the trek to the Land of Illusion. Though we had survived the lone wolf’s attack, the air here felt heavy, as if the very ground were waiting for us to lower our guard.

I lifted Novel in a bridal carry, her weight familiar yet terrifyingly limp in my...