16. Welcome to my home

As they ventured deeper into the dense forest, Anna felt the demigod's arm tighten around her waist, as if he were trying to wrap her into his very essence. A chill crept up her spine because the closer they rode to the heart of the woods, the more the trees seemed to close in around them, their skeletal branches intertwining like bony fingers.

"Where is his home?" she pondered, her heart thumping like a war drum.

"A cottage hidden among the trees?"

Observing the shadows overhead, Anna realized with dread that the sky had darkened, and very quickly, too. Hadn't they set off from the castle just twenty minutes ago under the bright sun? So what brought about the sudden darkness?

"Are you frightened?" he purred, his voice smooth and warm, wrapping around her like a silk scarf. "You should be." He added, his words sending a shiver through her spine.