As the knight and I rode, with Brianna and Petra advancing alongside, the clash of steel and the sharp cries of battle bled through the trees. Somewhere ahead, a fire crackled—its glow licking the night.
When we broke through the treeline, I froze. Regina stood there, alongside that accursed noble Zoë and others I did not recognize.
Seriously? the system chimed, you should at least recognize the Prince.
Regina's gown from the party was gone, replaced with a plain, practical outfit that seemed to strangle the life from her beauty. I was so caught up in the sight that I forgot to order the others to stay hidden. Too late—every pair of eyes in the clearing was on us.
Regina's gaze was sharp with surprise… and relief? Or maybe I imagined it in the firelight. Zoë's expression was more complicated—surprise laced with something I couldn't name. I didn't bother studying the rest.
Regina broke the silence.
"Luna, what happened to you? Why were you gone for so long? And what happened to your hair?"
She ignored Petra, Brianna, even the knight—though all three had their faces hidden. Petra's black helmet lacked the knight's horns; Brianna wore a delicate veil.
"Identify yourself."
Prince Timothy's voice cut through the night as the horde of undead halted their assault. His soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons, and even the boys and girl beside Zoë looked on edge. Zoë herself wore a strangely tangled expression.
My hair? I reached up, fingers brushing the braid someone must have made without my noticing. The tips were fine, but Regina swept aside a lock and froze.
"Your hair—underneath it's black. And your left eye… it's red. Blood red. What happened to you? And what's going on in this forest?"
"I don't know," I said, still dazed. "I'm just as lost as you."
The Prince's voice was heavy with suspicion. "Is that the maid you spoke of?" His gaze slid toward Petra, Brianna, and the knight. "And who are they?"
At his words, Regina's irritation flickered like lightning. I finally looked at him fully, leaning against Brianna for support. Petra, now wielding a battle axe, stared at the soldiers with a taunting smirk. The knight sat silent atop her steed, unmoving.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Regina said, bowing. "I am grateful for their assistance."
"Maid," the Prince pressed, "are these your allies? And what is happening in this forest? Is this your doing, devil?"
Steel rasped as the guards tightened their circle around us.
Things are not looking good, the system murmured. You've got bigger problems—like that odd undead lurking at the edge of the light.