Chapter 66. Men For Survival

Althea had slept well and woke later than usual. Normally, she rose before sunrise, but today the warm rays of the sun touched her face and pulled her awake.

She slowly opened her eyes and turned to the other side of the bed. Empty. A small sting hit her chest, knowing Gavriel didn’t return.

“I wonder where he slept,” she murmured as she got up from Gavriel’s bed.

Last night, she had managed to sneak a quick look around the oak tree, but she found nothing. Fear struck her at the thought of Gavriel catching her out of his chamber, so she had hurried back and stayed in his bed until sleep claimed her.

“It would be nice if I could find a place to practice my magic,” she thought. Her mother had taught her the four elements when she was ten, and she wanted to master them again. But she needed space and secrecy.

After what happened with Elsa, and even last night, she knew her enemies would use any excuse against her. They had already branded her a w