t here. We're not close enough to any Mithran village for anyone to come to my aid. All of my soldiers and han

ween us. Owls hooted in the distance and every so often some creature co

g and his dark horse seemed to keep more of those night creatures like th

ng my worn-out feet moving. Every part of my body was

stumble and fall. My hands were bound, and I wasn't able to brace my

ew pain that was flooding my body. I barely registered the crunc

see the king crouched before me lying pitifully on soil. "

amed down my face, but it was pure rage

ing glare I could muster, meeting those co

e you." I had to blink several times from my

stared back at the king of

un me, so don't ev

tered before looking back to my now ac

grabbing me and hoisting me up into his arms and my breath left me a rush from the

my eyes lowered and away from his penetrating gaze that was burning holes i

h an oof. I looked over the sides of the horse and balked at how far

-black metal of his armor was a haunting reminder behind me of who I was in the presence of shadow king. I couldn't help but to hold

ay that made me wholly aware of myself pressed against him and pursed my lips. At the same instan

kings brood? Rumor reaches us that Helios has a harem of wives and begets nothing but daught

othing abou

gh to get the family crest." He shifted on the horse behind me and it caused goos

art sped up impossibly faster at the

ed but a cold sweat had returned to

n," I retor

ittle flower." His harsh ch

y kingdom?" I felt emboldened to ask despite seeing the blood-stained gauntlets holdi

t sure yet." But I noticed he gripped the reins ha

heard enough about you." He laughed at my retort and I saw r

f me to reveal that informat

men attacked an entourage from Galad with no reason!"

xplanation for my actions. Especially when you are my

r. We were members of the ruling families on opposite sides. If either of u

is and it caught my attention when his pupils dila

bled. But something about that interaction had red creeping to my chee

lt time cutting through that tension. Despite that, I was so drained, and the sway of the horse was

lieved. "I'm exhausted and need to rest. If you care to

ired as I was. After being awake for too long, running for my life,

arm clothes to help me the further north we went, and I might need those to fight t

op for the remainder of the night to rest." And that was t

my lands with his soldiers? Why had they attacked us? Had it truly been

king of shadow elves at my back wasn't learned firsthand. I heard he was cruel and ruthless in batt

ut him wouldn't make it a surprise. What did shock me was that afte

y mind was racing with terrifying possibilities. Captive now, but

What is he going to do to me a