30. Briss

Beta Adrian has had his movements reduced. He is now Genevieve’s bodyguard. Privately, Zeke told me it was more to do with Nikolai being terrified of more assassin attacks. Cillian was probably relieved that news of Matilda's pregnancy wouldn't be leaked through any more snooping.

Personally, I was fuming that despite telling Naomi and Leona about Zena’s coven needing protection, they hadn’t done it. They’d written me a bratty note insisting the detachment of female warriors had tried, followed my instructions, and found nothing before returning.

Either way, Adrian off communications offered me a chance to rake all over the nation, checking in every abandoned building and nook. Over the following weeks, I went back to the cabin where we claimed each other, the caves where I found her, even the pit she fell in.

Feeling like a sentimental idiot I left one of her bags of clothes in each location. I left tins of food, bottles of water, and a note in each one.

To White Forest and Cragst