But it was not Evy. The figure straightened, brushing dirt from her dress before turning around.
And I froze. Adeline.
What was she doing alone in the woods? Did she have any idea how dangerous this place was?
She froze as well the moment she saw me, like someone caught in the act of something they should not have been doing.
Suspicion crept slowly into my chest. "What are you doing out here?" I asked.
Adeline's eyes widened, and she took a step back, like the forest itself was pressing down on her.
"I… I was… just walking," she stammered, her hands twisting the folds of her gown.
The wind blew softly through the trees, and even that made her shiver.
"You should not be here," I said, my voice low, firm. "These woods are not safe. Wolves, thieves… worse. They do not forgive."
She swallowed hard and looked down, her fingers trembling. "I… I just wanted to look around."
