Page 79 of A Sunwoven Ascent

There were fifteen of them now, perhaps a few more—a small company, but a living one. One of the younger wolves, near Evelyne’s own age, had told her they called themselves the Oathroot pack. The name felt newly claimed, as though they had only just begun to use it. Evelyne supposed many of their own had been lost beneath the ground, and those who remained moved with the unmistakable heaviness of survivors, grief stitched into every step.

They had told Evelyne and Holden that they owed them their lives, and she had not known how to answer such gratitude. She did not feel like a savior. She felt like someone who had scarcely dragged herself back from the brink. And yet, whenever she glanced at them, something within her shifted like a quiet sense of protectiveness, and with it, responsibility. She would learn their story soon, for she wished to know it, but for now her thoughts had to remain with Aurelia: her recovery, and how they were to get her home.

By nightfall, they would reach Velenshire, but they all paused near a stream to rest and eat. The wolves shifted back to human form, tending to the wounded and refilling waterskins. Evelyne remained seated beside the sled, Cillian kneeling opposite her, his hand resting gently against Aurelia’s covered arm.

For a long while, there was only the quiet sound of birds and the rustling of rocks and branches. Then Aurelia stirred.

Her lashes fluttered. “Evelyne?” she whispered, voice rough and barely there.

Evelyne leaned forward in an instant, brushing stray hair from her sister’s face. “I’m here.”

Aurelia’s eyes opened slowly, confusion flickering there before recognition replaced it. She took in the trees above them. The scent of smoke. The weight of the blanket.

“Are we…?”

“We’re safe,” Cillian said.

“Cillian!” Aurelia cried softly, her voice breaking as she reached for him before her gaze returned to Evelyne. Tears shimmered in her bright blue eyes.

“I’m so glad you’re all right,” Evelyne whispered, emotion thick in her throat as she leaned forward and pressed her forehead to her sister’s.

“You’re not rid of me that easily,” she murmured, attempting levity despite the tremor in her voice.

Evelyne let out a breath that almost turned into a laugh, though it wavered at the edges as Cillian squeezed Aurelia’s hand.

After a moment, Evelyne sat back and briskly wiped beneath her eyes. Aurelia studied her with careful attention, her posture regaining some of its familiar composure.

“Oh, Evelyne… look at you,” she breathed. “You’re beautiful.”

There was no sarcasm in it—only admiration. Evelyne’s lips curved faintly in response.

Aurelia turned to Cillian and reached up to brush her fingers lightly along the scruff at his jaw. “And you, brother, appear quite distinguished. Though I do believe you are overdue for a proper shave.”

Cillian laughed, bending to kiss her hand. “I may keep it.”

“If you insist,” she replied with a prim lift of her chin, though a teasing light danced in her eyes. Then she paused and scrunched her nose. “My goodness. What is that scent? I feel as though all I do now is smell things. You all rather resemble damp hounds.”

Kaldrek approached at that moment, a quiet chuckle rumbling from his chest. Holden followed at his side.

“The rather majestic scent of wolves,” Kaldrek said. “You may have noticed a bit of fur and claw yourself. I believe you carry the same fragrance.”

Aurelia straightened at that, smoothing the loose fabric at her shoulders as she took him in fully. Even without jewels or silk, without the careful polish of court life, she held herself like nobility. Her hair, now clean, fell in soft golden waves around her face.

“In fact, I have glimpsed my claws,” she said thoughtfully. “I must confess, I would very much prefer a manicure to talons. They are terribly inconvenient.”

Kaldrek’s brow lifted as her words began to tumble out in earnest.

“My goodness, Evelyne, why did you fail to mention that the woods are inhabited by such remarkably… striking men? Though I suppose we have had very little opportunity to speak. Tell me, why are you and Cillian traveling among wolves? I feel as though I have awakened to find I have missed an entire chapter of your life.”

“They prefer to be called males,” Evelyne said gently. “They are not quite the same as men. Though, to be fair, I still err myself from time to time.”

Aurelia looked back to Kaldrek and Holden and smiled.

“I see. Then I find these wild males exceedingly interesting. Even so, I cannot help observing that every one of you is in sore need of a bath.”

She gave another slight wrinkle of her nose, still playful, before letting her attention settle on Holden.

He went perfectly still. The last trace of color drained from his face, and his eyes widened, fixed entirely on her. Kaldrek looked toward his second with a faint crease of concern between his brows.