Moonlight Bonds ; shadows of the crown

Prince Alden stood in the training yard, pulling on his leather gloves while igno

e snapped, crossing her arms. "You promis

er. "And I will. Just not today

ht. "Let me guess, you're going hunting again? With Darian? What's

ied, smirking. "Something I r

"Rude! Mother says you're too serious, you kno

, dodging her. "Besides, someone needs to stay behind a

d as Alden strode toward the st

the reins on his black stallion. He looked up as Alden approach

said, mounting his white horse. "Let's go

sting the quiver of arrows on his back. "The prin

quiet. She'd scare away our game

echoing against the stone. The rolling hills of the kingdom str

the gentle breeze, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. Darian rode a

today, Your Highnes

ing. Just... the palace fe

" Darian said. "But running to th

n replied, "but i

int rustling sound caught their attention. A

?" he asked, glanc

ning the undergrowth. "Probably just

n, faint but persistent, as if something-or someone-was following them. D

e sunlight filtering through the trees. Alden drew his bow, focusing on his target,

e deer across his horse. "We should he

adows creeping across the forest floor. The rustli

zon, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold. Servants rushed

eraphina waited in the throne room, her emerald gown sweeping the floor as she pa

or hours," she said

ther," Alden repli

but her expression stern. "You have responsibilities. Yo

im since childhood, ever since his father's death left the throne to his mother. He resp

air from her face. "We'll discuss this later. F

ling he'd heard. Something about it had felt... unnatural. Shaking his head, he pushed