Chapter 38. The Half-Shadow Pact

Kaid knew she was coming before the guards announced her. He had been watching the frost patterns on the eastern tower window, trying to decide whether they resembled teeth or wings. It was a foolish thought, but he couldn’t shake it. Everything lately felt like it had two meanings, and neither could be trusted.

He stood with his back to the room when she entered.

The silence between them felt longer than it was.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” she said, closing the door behind her without waiting for invitation.

“You’ve been gathering ghosts.”

“They remembered more than you.”

He finally turned. There was no visible change in his expression, no outburst, no tightening of the jaw. But something behind his eyes had shifted—not anger, not quite. Resignation, perhaps, or something more dangerous. Something brittle that hadn’t cracked yet, but soon would.

“They told me he’s alive,” she continued. “That Nairon lives. Or lived, not long ago.”

Kaid