Chapter 171

Alaria

When I woke again, the world was quiet.

Everything seemed to have settled, and somehow, everything felt peaceful.

The fire had burned low, casting a soft orange glow across the cabin walls. Anastasia was still asleep, curled close to me, her tiny breaths warm against my arm. I kissed her forehead gently, thankful for the safety that we were living after the fear that she as a child had to endure.

But the quiet outside the bedroom was not at all easy. If anything, it was tense. And the low mutters and murmurs of the two concerned men made me sigh.

Liam. Kai.

I shifted carefully, easing myself from the bed. The cold wood stung my bare feet as I crossed the small space and pushed the door open.

They didn’t notice me at first. They were far too focused on what they were doing. Liam stood by the map spread across the table, his hair damp from melted snow, his posture sharp with exhaustion. Kai stood opposite him, pointing to border