The science of falling in love

Previously

…Kaelen didn’t answer, his body tensing, his gaze fixed on a point just beyond the edge of the clearing. The shadows seemed to coalesce, to deepen, as if the very darkness of the forest was gathering itself. A prickle of primal fear, sharp and insistent, ran down Elara’s spine. This was not a figment of her doubt, nor the fear of tradition. This was something real, something dangerous, and it was here, now, in their midst. The disquiet that had been gnawing at her for days suddenly felt trivial compared to the tangible threat that loomed before them. The seeds of doubt were being overshadowed by the chilling tendrils of a much greater, much darker fear.