By the time we reached Evergrove, I had lost track of how many hours we'd been on the road. The town appeared gradually through the trees. At first, I saw only rooftops between the branches. Then the road widened, and the forest opened onto a settlement that looked nothing like the quiet villages we had passed earlier.
Evergrove was busy.
People filled the streets, merchants shouted over one another, and carts rolled past carrying sacks, wooden crates and bundles of goods. Colourful fabrics hung outside shops, while stalls displayed strange fruits, herbs and objects that I couldn't identify.
And, because apparently my brain hadn't suffered enough already, the narrator decided it was time to give me a complete history lesson.
Evergrove is a thriving town nestled within the enchanted forest. Its people live in harmony with nature and the magical creatures surrounding them. The fertile land produces enchanted crops prized for their medicinal properties, while local artisans are renowned for their magical crafts.
I closed my eyes.
The town's position at the crossroads of several important routes has made it a major trading hub—
"Please stop."
Lady Evelyn glanced at me.
I opened my eyes. "Nothing."
She gave me a puzzled look before turning back towards the carriage window.
The narrator continued.
Evergrove is also famous for its Festival of the Enchanted Moon, celebrated beneath the light of the full moon. Music, dance and magical performances fill the streets while enchanted fireworks illuminate the night sky.
Wonderful. A travel guide. Just what I needed. I pushed the curtain aside and looked outside instead. Unfortunately, the narrator wasn't exaggerating. Evergrove really was beautiful.
The town seemed to have grown around the forest rather than replacing it. Large trees stood between buildings, their roots pushing through gaps in the paved streets. Vines climbed wooden walls. Small gardens occupied spaces between shops, and several stalls were selling plants that appeared to glow faintly beneath their leaves.
Children gathered near one of the open squares. One boy raised his hands, and a small flame appeared between his palms. Another child tried to copy him. His flame immediately turned into a puff of smoke. The other children burst out laughing. I smiled despite myself. At least they seemed to be having fun.
The narrator resumed its lecture.
Children in Evergrove are introduced to magic from an early age and attend academies where they learn to use their abilities responsibly. Music and dance also form an important part of Evergrove's cultural traditions—
I lean back. I'd rather look at the town myself.
Our group had entered Evergrove disguised as merchants. All fifty soldiers had removed their armour and changed into ordinary townsfolk's clothing. Their weapons had been hidden beneath rolls of linen inside one of the supply carts.
Even the emblem of Eldoria had been removed from the carriage door.
Alexander clearly had no intention of announcing that the Prince of Eldoria had arrived in town with fifty armed men. It was probably one of the few sensible things he had done recently.
Then I saw him.
Alexander rode ahead on his ebony horse, looking nothing like a merchant. He wore a white shirt beneath a black velvet jacket fastened with gold buttons. Black breeches disappeared into polished leather boots, and a black leather belt wrapped twice around his waist before fastening at the side. His sword remained at his hip, concealed enough to avoid attracting immediate attention but close enough for him to reach. He looked annoyingly elegant.
As he passed along the paved street, heads turned. Several women openly watched him. I looked away. Seriously?
The man was holding me captive, planning to use my ability to hunt Aetheron, and apparently that wasn't enough to stop half the women in Evergrove from admiring him.
I muttered something under my breath.
Lady Evelyn looked at me. "Did you say something, Princess?"
"No." I pulled the curtain closed. Much better.
The carriage continued through the crowded streets before slowing near an inn. A wooden sign hung above the entrance.
Silverleaf.
The building itself was charming, with carved wooden panels depicting mythical creatures and strange symbols. Flowering vines climbed around the windows, and lanterns hung beneath the eaves.
Alexander had decided we would stay in Evergrove for two nights. We needed to resupply, and more soldiers would join us here before we continued towards Luminar. Aetheron was the reason for all of this.
The King of Monsters.
The thought made the pleasant atmosphere of Evergrove feel considerably less pleasant. The carriage stopped. Lady Evelyn stepped down first.
I was still gathering my thoughts when a hand appeared in front of me. I looked up.
Alexander. "Come."
I stared at his hand.
"I can get down myself."
His expression hardened slightly. It wasn't a request. I sighed and took his hand. The moment my feet touched the ground, he tucked my hand beneath his arm as though this were the most natural thing in the world.
I stiffened. "Alexander."
"Smile."
"What?"
"We're supposed to be merchants."
I glanced around. He was right. Several people were watching us. I forced my expression into something that vaguely resembled a smile.
"Happy?"
"Much better."
I wanted to elbow him. Instead, I walked beside him into the inn.
Inside, the atmosphere was warmer and quieter than the busy street outside. Green and gold decorated the walls, while potted plants hung from wooden beams and spilt over shelves. The smell of freshly brewed herbs and spices drifted through the air.
A tavern occupied the building next door. A wooden sign above the entrance read Stardust Haven. Judging from the noise coming through the open windows, it was already busy.
Lady Evelyn and I were shown to our room. I stopped in the doorway. "Oh." After days of sleeping in tents, I had forgotten what an actual bed felt like.
The room was surprisingly comfortable. Moss-green velvet curtains framed a large carved wooden bed, and embroidered pillows covered the mattress. Some depicted mythical creatures while others showed constellations.
A woven tapestry covered most of the wooden floor, depicting the surrounding forest. Near the balcony stood a small round table with a vase of fresh wildflowers and a crystal pitcher filled with water. There was even a fireplace.
I walked towards it and held my hands near the warmth. "This is much better than a tent."
Lady Evelyn laughed softly. "I believe so, Your Highness."
For the first time since leaving Astoria, my shoulders relaxed. At least a little.
I eventually stepped onto the balcony. The sun was already dropping behind the forest, turning the sky orange between the branches. From here, I could hear the distant noise of the town—the clatter of carts, merchants calling to customers and occasional bursts of laughter.
It almost felt normal. A knock sounded at the door. I turned.
Lady Evelyn opened it. Gabriel stood outside. He said something quietly to her before leaving.
I walked back into the room. "What was that about?"
Lady Evelyn closed the door. "His Highness, the Prince has invited you to dinner in his room."
I stared at her. "No."
She blinked.
"I'm tired. I want to sleep early."
"Your Highness..."
"No."
Lady Evelyn hesitated. She looked genuinely uncomfortable. "Princess, perhaps you should reconsider."
"Why?"
She lowered her voice. "If you refuse him, he may..." She stopped.
I knew exactly what she was thinking. "He may do what he did last night?"
Her face went pale.
I sighed.
"Nothing happened."
"I know that now."
"But you're still worried."
Lady Evelyn nodded. "In Astoria, a man and an unmarried woman who spend the night together are expected to marry. Even if nothing improper happened between them."
I stared at her. "You mean if someone sees us sleeping in the same room, they'd assume we're going to get married?"
"That is our custom."
"That's ridiculous."
Lady Evelyn's expression suggested she didn't particularly disagree, but she was too well trained to say so.
I rubbed my forehead. This was another problem I hadn't anticipated. Alexander probably didn't know about this particular Astorian custom. And I intended to keep it that way. Under normal circumstances, Lady Evelyn would have explained the matter to him. But nothing about our current situation was normal.
I was his captive. He wanted to use my ability to hunt Aetheron. The last thing I needed was for Alexander to discover another way to control my movements.
I looked towards the closed door. "Tell him I'll join him for dinner another time."
Lady Evelyn looked startled. "Your Highness?"
"I'm tired."
She hesitated at first. Then she nodded. "Very well."
I walked back towards the balcony. Evergrove was beginning to glow beneath the evening lights. Beautiful. Peaceful. Completely unaware of the mess travelling through its streets.
And somewhere in this town, Alexander was preparing for the next stage of his hunt. I wasn't ready to face him tonight. Not after everything that had happened. Not when I still hadn't figured out what I was going to do about Aetheron—or what Alexander intended to do with me once he found him.