ALICE POV
The forest around me pulsed with a life force I could feel in my bones, resonating in sync with the power surging through my veins. The energy of the earth seemed to vibrate beneath my feet, a low hum that reminded me I wasn’t alone here. Each step I took made me more attuned to it, a comforting and powerful rhythm that kept me grounded as I ventured deeper into the dense, dark woods.
The council and King Vaden had left me here, alone, to face whatever trials they’d crafted. But I wasn’t truly alone—I could still feel the tether linking me to Alex, a soft, pulsing thread of warmth in my mind. It grounded me, pulled me forward, as I walked through the shadows and trees, scanning my surroundings with every step. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual bird calls and rustling leave
