The Princ

ungeon were slick with dampness and the

ugh the shadows, her royal robes

. her loyal handmaidens and protec

her most loyal handmaide

is is madness. Nicole is a criminal. The King himself gave the

a said, her voice hardened with a

now his heart better than any spy-catcher. I will not

." Lira started, gr

flashing with the priestess

more than your father'

t the mercy is from I... the Pri

ell, the tension among the gu

approached, their hands shaking a

o was imprisoned... stand a

ne of them finally found his voice. "My Princ

lanced back at Lira, signaling her to keep

he King, but they also respected Nor

k her path, Nora fina

began t

nder her skin, starting at her chest and

ght, glowing white light that mad

lammed into the guards. They were lifted off the ground and

the glow under her skin

s for awhile before giving her

is allow

y unsteady into th

ole sat in

f, but with a sharp, jagged pain."Nora? What are

u shouldn't

w the bruises on his arms. "I have a secret route through the old catac

ping the cold metal. "Nora, listen to me. They're r

, Nicole," she whispered

nstead, she pressed her palm f

egan to gl

icker at her fingertips, a soft gold

he metal of the lock as it turned bright orange

ushed, and the molten metal dripp

he heavy prison gates swi

the heat fading from her sk

d catacombs... a path know

sharp and silent, broken only by the dista

beneath Nora's guidance, the secret catacom

light dimming as exhaustion crept into her body from the strai

ffort to stay strong. "From here... you must move alone. The eastern ridge lea

they do somethi

plex storm of guilt and som

s hand rose slowly, he cupped her face

said quietly, voice thick with emo

her head.

shattered his res

sed a deep, restraine

ay, his eyes ling

lly, he st

said softly. "Becau

isappeared into the dark

lace was not immediate sa

st corridor beyond the Blood Moon border,

faded, replaced by the natu

ere the forest opened slightl

t because he saw a familiar fig

like a guard or sentinel, but arriving as part of a shift

lmly, his presence controlle

ly, as if confirming a report r

slightly. "You weren'

aint, knowing look

e here?" Nicole questio

e timing. The Shadow Fang do not wa

he ears of your father... the General... I'

udied him

lingered in his memory,

nt, he did

ke coincidence for comfort. You are not safe yet. T

his voice cold now, the warmth of Nora'

my is divided. Now is the time." A mess

led, forcing himsel

way," Nicole

Shen said, his voice a low purr

Hall, the atmosphe

a mountain of rage, his fist

idst, and you cut him loose!" he shouted, his v

otten. "Father, please! He is my friend! Don'

eaking for her. "You are the heir of this throne, the long-

r, ple

, his face a mask of iron. "Gareth

e far. Make sure you find him before he

ed, but the King waved

," he commande

nd ensure she makes no move.

obbing Nora back to her room,

through the thick oak, she could hear the King's final, cold command: "Al

rrow nev

he pack was

CLANG

rang strong, heav

" a voice screamed f

gh the darkness, streaks of oran

ere shot by t

ars, striking the tents of the a

lley, their screams echoing through the c

through the gates, their wolves

percent of their elite warriors aw

Durkehn heard the screams of

r sword from its sheath, the blade reflec

is eyes fixed on the door as the firs