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 pounding of hooves against damp earth was the only sound that filled the night. They rode hard, cutting through the thick forest without hesitation.

Phileo led without looking back. Evelyne and Alsiel followed, exhaustion pressing down on them, but stopping wasn't an option.

Not with the Order behind them. Not with Dorian watching.

Evelyne's grip on the reins tightened. Every shadow between the trees felt like it was moving.

She hated this. The running. The constant feeling of being hunted.

Alsiel, riding beside her, let out a tired groan.

"I swear, if I die on this horse, I'm coming back to haunt you."

Phileo didn't respond. He hadn't spoken since they left.

Evelyne glanced at him. His posture was stiff, shoulders tense. He was deep in thought, which meant he was worried.

That unsettled her more than anything.

The road stretched ahead, endless under the pale moonlight. Their horses had been pushed hard since leaving the last town, and she could feel hers growing weary beneath her.

Finally, after hours of silence, Phileo pulled on the reins.

"Here." His voice was clipped. "We stop here."

A small clearing, hidden between the trees. No fire. No unnecessary noise. Just enough time to breathe.

Evelyne slid off her horse, her legs aching from the ride. Alsiel practically fell off his.

"Mercy," Alsiel muttered, stretching his arms. "Sweet, sweet mercy."

Evelyne ignored him, turning to Phileo. "What's the plan?"

Phileo removed his sword belt, setting it beside him as he sat against a tree. "We rest for two hours. Then we move."

Alsiel groaned again. "TWO hours? You really are trying to kill me."

Phileo closed his eyes, ignoring him.

Evelyne hesitated before sitting down near Phileo. Her muscles ached, her wound throbbed, but she forced herself to stay alert.

She glanced at him again. He looked calm—but she knew better.

"…You think they're following us?" she asked quietly.

Phileo didn't open his eyes. "No."

A chill crawled up her spine. Of course.

Dorian wasn't chasing them. He was leading them somewhere.

She clenched her fists. "Then what do we do?"

Phileo opened his eyes, meeting hers. His gaze was sharp, determined.

Chapter 26: A Night Without Rest