KAEL'S POV
The tent flap felt heavier than it should when I pushed it aside.
Riley was propped against the furs, she stretched out her legs, the fresh splint already looking too tight around the swollen ankle. She hadn't moved since Eira left.She Just sat there, with her short hair still damp from the river, her eyes fixed on the canvas ceiling like she could burn a hole through it and escape that way. The amulet glinted against her collarbone, cold and mocking. She clutched it like a lifeline every time anyone got too close.
I'd decided to go easy on her.
Easy.
it was my strategy tokeep her calm, keep her healing, keep her talking. No more pushing until she broke. No more edging her to the brink and walking away. Just patience. Restraint. Let her come to me with the information I needed. Let her see I wasn't Kain. Let her see I could be… something else.
It was bullshit.
