Moonlight Bonds ; shadows of the crown

wen was already there, crouched by the water's edge, her long golden hair pulled back in a loose braid. She picked up a smooth stone

you can do?" Alden teased,

e. "Let's see you tr

ing its smooth surface before flicking his wrist. The stone sailed acros

e said smugly,

, narrowing her eyes

ince we were children," Alden r

or another rock. "You're i

ld," Alden sa

d across the lake. Gwen, ever determined, managed to match Alden

onto a nearby rock, wiping her hands on h

, his smile softenin

r. "Before... everything. Before Father died, before

I miss it too. But some things change, Gwen. It do

ving into a small smile. "You'r

lden said, nudgi

r a while, the sounds of the lake an

ever. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the tre

log with her knees drawn to her chest. She turned at the sound

she teased as

schedule," Alden replied, s

grin. "Maybe we should. You'd

n the log beside her. "G

to the stream. "I spent most of it he

Alden asked, hi

th the hem of her dress. "It's hard to

faded. "Do you

re. I'm used to being alone out here, but lately, it f

ater glinting under the moonlight. "If you e

ked at him. "You don't even know m

e playing on his lips. "M

unreadable. Then she leaned back, resting her h

ld," Alden sa

the forest surrounding them. Lyria seemed mor

very night?" Alden

," she said. "Bu

hy

"It's peaceful here. The world outside... it

g her words more than she

wistful expression. "Maybe th

Alden sai

ver light over the forest. Alden didn't want to

e tomorrow?" he

her lips quirking i

ting his horse. "I'l

hat there was more to Lyria than she let on. And for reasons h