Emberwood We'll go to a place that is safe from greed, anger, and boredom

‘My father would never—‘

But he did.

He had even come to their borders, demanding retribution.

His lips tightened—he spoke nothing. What good would it do to up end the memory of her father—a man who, in all other aspects of his dealings—had been fair and just?

Instead, he focused on her final question—how had it all ended up like this?

How had Ibis died? How had Jakoul disappeared? How had he not realized Kestrel had been treating Reverie against her will? How had Lestan distrusted him so much? How had Mae come to despise him? How had he fallen hopelessly for another she-wolf who would never see him the same?

How had the valley fallen so quickly, after building relationships for months? How had Mae lost her eyesight over such a trivial fight?

How did Moss end up as nothing but a terrible memory of bracken and blood?

How, how how…

“I don’t know, Reverie.” His voice was tight—his eyes were rapt on the sapling—and he could feel himself becoming untethered. “I really don’t know.”