The Stolen Heir’s Bond

The sound of pursuit was growing closer.

The knights had regrouped quickly. Elaria could hear them crashing through the trees behind them—too many to outrun on foot. But the forest was dense, and the moonlight barely broke through the canopy above. If they could keep weaving through the trees, they might have a chance.

"Stay close," Kael ordered, his voice steady but urgent.

Elaria nodded, heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the sting of her bruises, the cold of the night sinking into her bones. Her magic was still sluggish, and the exhaustion from earlier was dragging at her. But she pushed it all aside. Focus.

She forced herself to move faster, her feet pounding against the frost-covered ground.

Every crack of a branch beneath their feet felt like a warning shot. The knights weren't far behind.

Suddenly, a sharp sound—the snap of a bowstring.

Kael shoved her to the side, his body slamming into hers as an arrow sliced through the air, grazing his shoulder. He grunted but didn't falter. "Go!"

Elaria didn't think. She shoved him back toward the trees, then turned, reaching deep into herself for any remnants of magic.

Fire.

A ring of flame erupted from her outstretched hands, a wall of heat surging between them and the knights. The air sizzled as the flames roared to life, the fire crackling with raw power.

It wasn't much. It wasn't enough to stop them for long. But it was a barrier—time.

Kael didn't wait to see if the flames held. He grabbed her wrist again, pulling her deeper into the forest.

"The river," he said between breaths. "We need to cross again."

Elaria glanced over her shoulder. The flames were flickering, already starting to die down, but the knights were still too far to reach them right away.

"Right." She nodded, pushing herself harder. "The bridge is just ahead."

But they didn't make it far.

A shadow moved ahead, just beyond the trees, silent and swift. Then—a figure stepped into their path.

Elaria froze. Kael's grip tightened on her wrist as he immediately went into a defensive stance.

The figure was tall, cloaked in dark leather, a black hood shadowing their face. The only thing visible were eyes—piercing blue.

"Turn back," the stranger said, voice cold and low. "The knights won't spare you."

Elaria didn't lower her guard. "Who are you?"

The stranger took a step forward, and Kael's hand went to his sword, ready to strike. But the figure raised a hand, a gesture of peace.

"I'm not here to fight you," they said. "But I cannot let you pass."

"Why?" Kael demanded, voice full of suspicion. "Who the hell are you?"

The figure didn't respond directly. Instead, they pulled back their hood, revealing short, dark hair and a scar that ran down one side of their face.

"You'll learn soon enough." The stranger's voice was soft but filled with authority. "But I'm not your enemy. Not yet."

Elaria glanced at Kael. He was tense, his sword still in hand, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

"I don't trust them," Kael muttered under his breath.

"Neither do I," Elaria whispered back. "But we don't have a choice."

The stranger moved again, but this time they stepped aside, clearing the path. "Go now, while you still can."

Kael hesitated, his golden eyes narrowing. "And if we don't?"

"Then you'll be dead before morning," the stranger replied flatly.

Without another word, they turned and melted back into the shadows.

Kael's grip on Elaria's wrist loosened, but he still didn't look entirely convinced. "We can't trust them," he said.

"I know," she replied softly. "But we can't keep running either. Let's go."

They moved quickly, ignoring the tension in the air, and continued their sprint toward the river. The sound of the knights' pursuit was growing louder again.

The bridge was just ahead.

Elaria's heart pounded in her chest, and Kael's breathing was heavy beside her. She could hear the knights closing in, the snap of twigs underfoot, their voices rising.

Then, without warning—a shout.

"They're here!"

Elaria turned her head, just in time to see the first of the knights break into the clearing. The leader, with his gleaming armor and cruel smile, was the first to spot them.

Kael cursed under his breath. "We're out of time."

They reached the bridge.

The river below was swift and unforgiving.

There was no turning back now.