The morning fog hung low over the river, clinging to the dark, damp timber of the tree line .By the time the horses reached the northern bank of the neutral zone, the sun was nothing more than a pale, watery smudge against the eastern sky. The air off the water was exactly as bitter as William had promised, carrying a sharp, icy bite that made the breath plume thick and white from Nila’s lips.

Kaelen dismounted first, his leather boots hitting the frosted gravel with a heavy thud. He turned immediately, his large, warm hands wrapping around Nila’s waist to lift her down from her saddle, holding her on the...