As the blindfold was secured, Selene felt a sudden, absolute subtraction of her primary sense. The vibrant garden, the watching men, the intimidating maze—all vanished into a velvety, oppressive black. All that was left was an amplified sense of smell, muted but complex, and the feel of the ground under her slippers.
Then, of course, there was Zephyr's presence, palpable and rooted behind her.
She heard his footsteps as he led her gently towards the entrance of the maze. Before Selene stepped in, Zephyr leaned in close, his voice a low vibration near her ear that only she could hear. "Begin."
His scent—that mix of frost, pine, and sheer power—washed over her for a second before he stepped back. It was both a torment and a clue, the first anchor in her darkness.
She took a deep breath and began to make her way into the maze. Zeeb's instructions kept replaying in her head, along with the favor that Zephyr had promised her.
