Sunlight trickled through the high canopy in soft, golden strands, warming the forest floor in scattered patches. Serenya trudged forward, each step heavy with exhaustion. Her cloak dragged behind her, its hem soaked and torn, clinging to the muddy earth like a weight she couldn't shake off. She had been out for hours—more than twelve, maybe longer. Every step closer to the school grounds made her stomach twist tighter.
She was eighteen now. A woman in the eyes of the court. And with that came duty. Eyes followed her everywhere. Whispers chased her through halls. Her magic, stronger than ever, moved on instinct now—quick, unpredictable, sometimes too wild to control. Even the elders had grown wary, their glances colder, their warnings sharper.
Just last week, Elder Merell had pulled her aside in the glass chamber, voice low, eyes narrowed.
"Never wander into the forest after sundown, Serenya. No matter what you hear. No matter what you feel. They watch the border now. They are waiting."
She had nodded. Obedient. Calm. Already lying.
So when the strange whispers came—distant, echoing, like laughter caught in windchimes—of course she followed.
Curiosity had always been her weakness. The kind that got people hurt.
Now, with her boots caked in mud and her braid pulled loose by branches, regret gnawed at her. But beneath it, a flicker of something else. A thrill.
The forest felt charged. The ground hummed beneath her steps, like something ancient stirred deep under the moss and roots. Her magic buzzed against her skin, restless and aware.
Then she saw it.
A deer, collapsed in a small clearing, its body trembling. Blood darkened its side. Three arrows pierced its flank—black shafts, iron-tipped. Not a clean kill. This had been meant to make it suffer.
Serenya dropped to her knees beside the animal. "Oh no," she breathed, voice breaking. Her fingers brushed its fur—warm, sticky with blood. Her magic stirred instantly, rising with urgency.
She broke the arrow shafts gently, her hands steady despite the knot in her chest. "I'm sorry," she whispered, pressing both palms over the wound.
The chant came without thought, soft words her mentor once whispered during lessons. Her magic pooled beneath her hands, silver-blue light bleeding into the deer's skin like moonlight sinking into water. Slowly, the wound began to close.
The deer blinked at her once—calm, almost grateful—then scrambled up and vanished into the trees.
A slow clap broke the silence.
Serenya spun around, heart in her throat.
A man leaned against a nearby tree, one brow raised in amusement. He was tall. Striking. Danger wrapped in silk. A bow rested in his hands, loose but threatening. His golden eyes gleamed beneath messy blond hair, and his smile—lazy, sharp—made her spine lock straight.
He was the kind of beautiful stories warned you about. The kind that smiled while pulling the arrow.
"Was that you?" she asked, voice sharp. "Those arrows?"
He grinned. "They looked better in the deer."
"You're disgusting."
"And you're bold," he said, pushing off the tree. "Healing a creature without knowing who wounded it? That could've been bait. You could've walked into a trap."
She stepped back. "Maybe I already have."
His eyes lit up. "Touché."
She studied him warily. "Who are you?"
He gave a mock bow. "Kaelith. Prince of the Light Court. At your service."
Her breath caught.
Kaelith. She had heard of him. Everyone had. The Warden of Light. Crown Prince of the very court her people feared.
Brilliant. Cold. Ruthless.
And he was standing here, smiling at her like they were sharing tea under the stars.
"I should report you," she said, though her voice trembled.
"For saving a deer?" he said lightly. "Do your people jail princes now?"
"No. But we should start."
He laughed. "I like you."
"Well, I don't like you. You hunt for fun. That tells me everything I need to know."
"And you assume quickly. That tells me even more."
Silence fell between them, tense and thick.
Serenya eyed the bow in his hand. "Are you planning to shoot me?"
He tilted his head. "Tempting. But no."
"Why not?"
"Because you're interesting. It's rare I meet someone who stands their ground."
"Happy to amuse you," she muttered.
"Oh, you're more than amusing," he said, voice softening.
A chill raced down her spine. She didn't know why.
Then the air shifted.
Leaves rustled overhead, but not with wind. It felt… wrong. Off. Like the forest itself paused to listen.
Kaelith's smile vanished. He lifted a hand, signaling silence.
From the shadows, three cloaked figures stepped forward. Gray robes. Faces hidden. Presence heavy.
Serenya instinctively stepped back. "They're not yours?"
He shook his head. "Definitely not."
The tallest figure took a step forward. "Serenya of the Ash Tree Line."
Her blood froze. "How do you know my name?"
"You walked where you should not tread," the voice said, low and calm. "And awakened what should have stayed
asleep."
Kaelith notched an arrow, voice steady. "Try clearer threats next time."
The figure didn't flinch. "The veil grows thin. The girl must be claimed."
"Claimed?" Serenya snapped. "I'm not a thing."
"Then run," the figure said. "If you can."
A pulse of dark energy tore through the woods. Leaves scattered. Trees groaned. The ground shook under her feet.
Kaelith grabbed her hand. "Stay close."
She hesitated. "Why would I trust you?"
He met her eyes. "Because I'm the only one who might keep you alive."
Behind them, something howled. Deep. Hollow. Unnatural.
Kaelith pulled her into a sprint.
They ran, dodging low branches and fallen logs, the woods blurring around them. Her legs burned. Her chest ached.
But she didn't stop.
The clearing vanished behind them. Shadows swallowed the path.
When they finally slowed, they were in a hollow beside a fallen tree. The mist was far behind them.
Serenya dropped onto a rock, chest heaving. "What was that?"
Kaelith's face was grim. "Trouble."
"Not helpful."
He sighed. "They weren't after me. They were after you. That should scare you."
She looked down, trying to calm her racing heart. "Will they come back?"
"Oh, definitely."
They sat in silence, the forest slowly returning to stillness.
Kaelith turned to her. "Why were you alone out here?"
"I heard something. Chanting. Laughter. I thought maybe it was a ritual."
He stared at her. "You left safety… for that?"
She shrugged. "Maybe I'm reckless."
"Maybe you're stupid."
She gave him a flat look.
He grinned. "Both suit you."
She flushed. "Stop that."
"What?"
"The flirting. I don't have time for it."
Kaelith leaned back with a smirk. "You may not want me around, but I think you're going to need me."
She rolled her eyes. "The only thing I need is to get back before the elders notice I'm gone."
"Bit late for that."
She followed his gaze. Smoke curled in the distance.
Her heart dropped. "That's the school."
Kaelith's voice dropped to a whisper. "Looks like the hunters found something more interesting than deer."
Serenya didn't answer. She was already running.