*Ainslee*

I am on the last frayed string of my rope as we ride along, my chest heaving in pain.

At night, I think I hear Rafe. I reach out for him, but then his voice fades into the haze that keeps me asleep.

‘north…’ he keeps saying.

I don’t understand. Unless he’s trying to give me directions to the castle, which we were skillfully misguided on.

We don’t trust anyone on the road. Riley must have informed people far and wide that we were coming and concocted an elaborate plan to throw us off the path. Hence, we are riding in circles.

When I find her, I am going...