The Stolen Heir’s Bond

The bridge creaked beneath their weight as they hurried across, but Elaria's heart was beating faster than her feet could carry her. Behind them, the knights had reached the clearing, their shouts echoing through the trees. They were too close.

"Faster!" Kael urged, his voice tight.

Elaria pushed herself harder, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The bridge was narrow, the stone worn and slippery from years of exposure to the elements. She risked a glance over her shoulder—they were right behind them.

One of the knights, the one with the cold, calculating eyes, was already on the other side of the bridge. He moved quickly, with a fluid grace that belied his heavy armor.

"We're not going to make it," Kael muttered, pulling her toward the far side.

They were almost there—just a few more steps, and they'd be across. But then—the bridge shifted beneath them.

The sound of hooves.

Elaria turned to find a rider charging straight for them, his sword raised high, ready to strike.

The knight was too fast. Too close.

Kael shoved Elaria to the side, narrowly avoiding the swing of the sword. The blow missed by inches, but the momentum threw him off balance. He stumbled, crashing into the stone edge of the bridge.

"Kael!" Elaria cried, reaching out to catch him.

But the rider was already there, circling back for another strike.

Elaria's heart raced. She couldn't let him die. Not like this.

With a force of will, she gathered what little magic she had left. The air around her crackled as the ground beneath the knight's horse shifted.

The animal stumbled—its legs buckled under it, sending the rider flying off. The knight crashed to the ground with a sickening thud.

But Elaria didn't stop.

She turned, kneeling beside Kael, who was groaning in pain. "We need to keep moving."

"I… I can't…" He gritted his teeth, holding his side where he had hit the stone. Blood seeped through his tunic.

Elaria's heart clenched. She couldn't carry him. She couldn't afford to waste time.

And then—the worst sound.

The knights were on the bridge.

The leader, the one with the silver armor, was leading the charge.

"I thought you'd be smarter than this, Prince," the knight called. His voice was cold, mocking. "But it's too late. We've got you now."

Kael's hand went to his sword, his face set in grim determination. But he was injured. He couldn't fight them all.

Elaria's mind raced. There had to be a way out.

Then—an idea.

She reached into her cloak, her fingers brushing the edges of the small pouch that held the last of her magical herbs—the ones she had saved for an emergency. This was it.

Without hesitation, she tore it open, scattering the herbs into the air.

A cloud of smoke erupted around them, thick and blinding.

Kael barely had time to register what was happening before Elaria grabbed his hand. "Run!"

They moved as one, stumbling through the thick mist. The smoke was dense, and Elaria could feel the heat of it swirling around her. It was disorienting, and she had to rely solely on Kael's grip to keep them going.

But the knights weren't as slow as they had hoped.

A sword slashed through the fog, narrowly missing Kael's shoulder.

Elaria cried out, her magic flaring as she reached out for one final push. The air shifted, and a gust of wind sent the fog scattering just long enough for them to spot the path ahead.

Kael's eyes were wide with realization. "The cave," he gasped.

The cave.

The very cave they had passed on their way to the river. It was their only hope now.

"Go!" Elaria urged, her voice strained. She didn't wait for a response. She yanked Kael forward, her legs burning with each step.

The cave entrance loomed ahead, dark and welcoming. It was narrow, jagged rocks protruding from the sides like the teeth of some great beast.

They were so close.

Then—another shout.

The knights were almost upon them.

Kael pushed forward, his strength no longer a question. He moved with purpose, knowing the cave was their only chance.

As they reached the entrance, Elaria felt a sharp pain in her side—an arrow, piercing through her cloak. She gasped, but she didn't stop. She couldn't.

They dashed into the cave, just as another arrow whizzed by, narrowly missing Kael.

The darkness closed around them.

And for the first time in hours, they were safe.