A Kingdom Divided

Violet and Lila collapsed onto the damp ground, gasping for breath. Neither of them bothered to stand, at least not yet. Not after what they had just survived.

Adrenaline pumped violently through Violet's veins, her heart pounding so fast it felt like it might leap from her chest. But most of all, her mind reeled from the sheer madness she had just survived.

She had made it! Against all odds, against Asher's relentless pursuit, his traps, and

the wolves. She had won.

But the thrill of victory was not all satisfactory.

Violet swallowed hard as she turned her head slightly, her gaze landing on Lila. She was lying on her back, staring up at the night sky, her chest heaving as if whatever she had done back there had taken a toll on her.