canopy, its hoarse cry cutting through the hush that had wrapped itself

ed waves over his brow and down the sharp lines of his jaw. Ragged trousers clung to his hips, their edges torn and caked wit

e might say. She had come prepared to flee at the first snarl, but instead, all she wanted to do was

ce trembled with the weight of it. "L

thought in a voice so soft an

- that impossible shade of molten gold - flicked down to the moss at his feet. He see

not looking at her. "I should h

you d

the ear if she knew Lila was standing here, talking to the monster mothers w

out more like a sigh. He shifted, the iron cuffs scraping

ked, but his tone made it soun

hing in her stomach. "Because I needed to know if you were

watched it fall as though it were the only thing in the world worth seeing. Then he li

a step closer. Chains rattled softly. "Nothing g

afraid,"

n instant. "Brave little thing. Or foolish. Do you

I think you're alone. And

turned away sharply, shoulders stiff. He paced a tight circle, boots s

he snapped. The words came

ing. "Take it as... as thanks. You risked your life fo

orest had frozen with him. A breeze tugged at his hair

e asked, softer now. "You won't s

d her chin

st him effort just to sit still - a caged predator forever fighting invisible chains. Lila inched cl

membered better days. "Once. Long ago, I had a father who called me heir. A mother who sang to me

clan that guarded the forest? Th

ened?" she

ison in her smile. I thought I was striking a bargain for vengeance. I traded my crown for claws. My freedom for fan

cars it hid. "Now I am the ghost they warn children about. And worse stil

gertips brushing the iron cuff. It burned cold and

e asked, voice trembling

er, more beast than man. I

curses like mine. And I w

im freeze. His ears twitched - too sharp for

he forest feels you, girl.

a sad, chained prince, but something fierce, fur bristlin

Lila.

es, brambles whipping at her cloak. Behind her, a snarl ripped the air - Adrien, l

over roots and moss, her

uld co

any monsters ho