Chapter 102

Ronan's POV

The relay station sat in a notch in the mountain where the southern pass narrowed. Snow hid most of its roof. A line of old oath wire ran beneath the path, visible now and then as a gold thread under the ice. I felt it long before I saw the building.

Lucien rode ahead until the trail became too steep. He dismounted and offered Mara a hand. She took it because the ground was treacherous, then let go when her boots found purchase. The exchange lasted no longer than a breath.

Grimm surged so violently that my vision silvered.

Ours.

It was his thought, older and less articulate than any command. He wanted to put himself between them, to bury his muzzle against Mara’s neck and leave his scent there until the whole mountain knew she came home with us. The Crown found that wanti