: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
: Secrets in the Dark
Aurora had thought that after saving Kael's life, peace might return to her cottage. But she was wrong.
The man she had taken in was no ordinary traveler. Even in his weakened state, there was something regal in the way he carried himself. His posture was proud, his gaze steady, and though he had said little about himself, his silence spoke louder than words. He was hiding something—something heavy.
That night, Aurora awoke to the sound of movement. Rising from her bed, she found Kael standing near the window, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. Moonlight spilled across him, catching the steel of his sword as he ran his fingers along the engraved crest upon its hilt.
Aurora's breath caught. The symbol was unlike any she had seen in Elaria: a silver moon encircled by stars. It glowed faintly, as though it carried light of its own.
"You shouldn't be moving," she whispered, stepping closer.
Kael turned sharply, his hand tightening on the sword. For a heartbeat, his expression was hard, almost dangerous. Then he softened, lowering the weapon.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said quietly.
Aurora crossed her arms. "You didn't answer me before. Who are you really, Kael? That crest—it doesn't belong to a simple traveler."
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. For a moment, Aurora thought he would refuse again. But then, as though some inner wall cracked, he spoke.
"I am Kael Rythorne. Prince of the Moonlit Kingdom."
The words seemed to still the air. Aurora stared at him, her mind spinning. A prince? The Moonlit Kingdom was a name she had only heard in whispers, a realm beyond the mountains, locked in endless war with its enemies.
"You're… royalty," she breathed.
His lips curved bitterly. "Royalty means little when shadows hunt you in the dark."
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching.
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching
Aurora's pulse quickened. "The creatures in the forest—are they after you because of who you are?"
"Yes," Kael said, his voice low. "They are born from a curse that has plagued my family for generations. My brother believes he can control them. And he will stop at nothing to claim the throne."
Aurora's chest tightened. She thought of the voice she had heard in her dream, the castle bathed in moonlight, the silver fire in her hands. "And now they know you're here," she whispered.
Kael's eyes met hers, intense and unyielding. "That is why you should have left me in the forest. By saving me, you've made yourself a target."
Aurora stepped closer, her voice steady despite the fear creeping into her veins. "I couldn't just leave you to die. If the shadows come, then we'll face them. Together."
For a long moment, Kael said nothing. Then his expression softened, a flicker of something fragile breaking through the hardened shell he wore. "You're braver than most warriors I've known," he murmured.
Aurora felt heat rise in her cheeks but did not look away.
Later that night, as the village slept, a chill wind swept through Elaria. The mist thickened, curling around the cottages like ghostly fingers. Aurora stirred in her bed, her heart thundering with unease.
And outside, just beyond the lantern light, shadows gathered—shapes with hollow eyes and twisted limbs, waiting. Watching