The next day,

Author

The cottage stood at the edge of the Blackwood woods, wrapped in climbing roses and thick ivy, its stone walls glowing warm gold in the afternoon sun. Smoke curled slow from the chimney, carrying the scent of honey bread and dried sage. Malphas paused at the little wooden gate, glancing sideways at Aria, and adjusted the collar of his coat for the third time in five minutes.

“I have met kings and queens,” he said quietly. “I have faced down ancient entities and negotiated with spirits older than this world. I have never felt quite so… scrutinized.”

Aria bit back a laugh, though her own stomach...