amdauthor

Synopsis: The Sins That Bind Us

Phileo killed her family. Evelyne knows this. And yet—she walks beside him.

She should have hated him. She should have sought vengeance. But the world is never so simple. The man who tore her life apart is also the only one who can help her uncover the truth—the truth about why her parents were marked for death, the truth about the shadowed hands that still pull the strings from the dark.

But blood cannot be washed away so easily.

With every step, Phileo is forced to confront the weight of his sins, the ghost of the girl he left behind, now grown into a woman who refuses to break. Evelyne does not forgive. She does not forget. And though she needs him now, one day, she will have to decide—justice or survival.

Because when the past finally catches up to them, neither of them may walk away alive.

TruthUntold

The first light of dawn stretched across the treetops, casting long shadows over the damp forest floor. A cold breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the promise of another long journey ahead.

Evelyne pulled herself onto the back of her horse, shifting uncomfortably in the saddle. Riding wasn't something she had done often, and the soreness from her injury didn't help. Still, there was no time to complain.

Phileo mounted his own horse with practiced ease, adjusting the reins. He hadn't spoken much that morning, but that wasn't unusual. He always seemed lost in thought, his gray eyes unreadable.

Alsiel, on the other hand, was full of energy. "Finally! I was starting to think we'd camp here forever." He patted his horse's neck. "Don't worry, my friend. I won't let these two bore us to death."

Evelyne rolled her eyes, but she was grateful for the levity. She turned to Phileo. "Where exactly are we going?"

Phileo's grip on the reins tightened slightly before he answered, "South. We'll avoid the main roads."

"That's not an answer," Evelyne pointed out.

Phileo glanced at her but didn't respond.

Alsiel chuckled. "You'll get used to that. Our fearless leader enjoys keeping secrets."

Evelyne huffed but didn't push further. She had already learned that Phileo spoke when he wanted to—not when others demanded it.

With a flick of the reins, Phileo led them forward. The horses moved at a steady pace, their hooves pressing into the damp earth. The weight of the night before still hung in the air, but with each step, it grew more distant.

The Order—the Black Veil—was after them. And Lysander's warning still echoed in Evelyne's mind.

Chapter 20: A Path Set in Motion