He cradles me against him, and I let him, not wanting to let go of the moment. I’m sure that everything’s about to come crashing down in the worst possible way. He picks his way down the stone path, back to my mother’s clearing. The sun has fully set now, and the stars are blurry spheres in the sky, mist blocking their piercing light. The moon emerges from behind a cloud, and I let out an involuntary gasp. It’s a rare blood moon. The last one to shine over Thayaria occurred on the date of my birth. The light has an eerie red glow as Thorne carries me through the ring of azaleas and across the glade.

When we reach the middle, he sets me down on my feet. Nerves wrack my body, and I fight down the urge to run away. If this is my end, then it’s one I deserve. Thorne drops to his knees before me. Everything goes silent around us, like the stars and moon, cicadas and owls, hold their breath in anticipation of Thorne’s next words. Mist gathers thickly around us, so that all I can see is Thorne kneeling at my feet. I’m not sure whether I’m creating the mist or whether it’s a natural phenomenon, but it casts everything in a reddish hue. I’m holding my breath, not ready for Thorne to speak, and yet desperate to hear his deep voice.