Kasamor’s steed snorted and stamped. There was almost something accusing in its dark eyes.

“What are you staring at?” Rosa asked. “I know what I’m doing.”

The horse turned away as far as its rope tether allowed. Rosa wasn’t sure whether it did so out of huffiness, or sated curiosity.

She turned her attention back to Kasamor. He seemed younger in sleep. Less arrogant, but also less burdened.

“I don’t care how sweet she is, nor how storied her line. She doesn’t deserve you. There. I said it.”

“Said what?” muttered Kasamor. “Some of us are trying to sleep.”

Rosa’s heart leapt to her throat. She forced a smile. “I promised to come smother you if you kept snoring.”

Kasamor rubbed at his eyes. “I don’t snore. And I’d hope the Reaper of the Ravonn might at least offer me the blade instead.”

Rosa willed herself to relax. “You sounded like a cow in a sewer pipe. We had a wolf pack come close to the fire. Then you started up. One dropped dead of fright, and the rest fled.”

“Some friend you are.” He fidgeted with his blankets. “I never thanked you for coming with me, did I?”

“How could I stay away?”

He snorted. “Everyone else has. Even Malachi. They think I’m making a mistake. But not you. I’m glad you’re here.”

A voice at the back of Rosa’s head urged her to tell the truth. Better to regret words spoken than unvoiced. She’d never forgive herself otherwise.

Kasamor frowned. “Still with me?”

“Of course,” she replied archly. “I was thinking.”

“You were away with the whispering ones. Daydreaming of birch and briar, were we?”

“And maybe I’d go if they called. Anything to get away from your snores.”

“You’d make a lovely thornmaiden. Old Jack would be lucky to have you. Luring lusty young fellows into Fellhallow with your sweet serene’s voice.” He shrugged. “Not how I’d like to go, but I guess they die happy.”

“Can you not stop prattling for a few minutes?” Rosa scowled, recognising that the edge in her voice was meant for herself, not him. “Kas, I . . .”

He held up a hand for silence, his expression thoughtful. “How long’s it been misty?”

Rosa looked at their surroundings as if seeing them for the first time. There were skeins of mist gathering between the trees. Thin enough close up, but the road was already lost to sight. How had she not noticed? Had she been so wrapped up in her own thoughts?

“It isn’t. I mean it wasn’t.”

“I believe you.” Kasamor threw off his blankets and clambered to his feet. “You remember Hosgard?”

Rosa leapt to her feet, sword in hand. “I’m trying not to.”