Moonlight Bonds ; shadows of the crown

slept, his thoughts consumed by the strange girl in the forest. As he sat in the dining hall, picking at

. "What's keeping you up at night? F

Not everything revolves around marriage,

late. "You're boring. Maybe I'll go out riding tod

ckly masked his reaction. "You sho

Why not? What's out there? Wolve

id firmly, rising from his seat. "J

muttered under her bre

rian. The guard had protested, but Alden assured him it was a short ri

the rippling water. For a moment, he wondered if she

id softly, her amber eyes

den replied, a smile

watching him closely. "

countered. "This forest seems

opping to the ground. "It'

t. "I feel the same. The palace is loud, full of expec

time, her guarded demeanor seemed to wa

"But enough about me. Who are you, really, Ly

distance between them palpable. "I'm just a gir

the weight of her wor

e," she said, her

n said, his voice s

thing in his eyes. Slowly, she nodded.

-

Followi

palace to meet Lyria by the stream. They talked about everything-his duties as a p

didn't push. He was content just to be near her, to watch her laugh a

ia teased one night, her laugh

forest expert like you,

someday," she said, he

ed, the word lingering

es didn't go unnoticed. Gwen

ut," she accused, corne

" Alden lied, keepi

en crossed her arms. "Do yo

quickly. "But it's nothin

ed sharp. "Just be careful, okay? Mother wou

ouched by her c

rest seemed quieter than usual. The air was heavy, the

eople knew we met like this?" Lyria asked

rprised by the question

they don't understand,"

hat are you tryin

sitated, her hands curling into fist

ce firm. "You can tell me an

a sadness he couldn't decipher. "I

his fingers brush

breath. Then Lyria stood, pulling away. "

orrow?" Alden asked

, then nodded

pang of unease. Something about her words, her e