Author's POV.....
The next morning arrived quietly, as if the village itself was reluctant to let them go.
Mist clung low to the ground, rolling gently between wooden houses and fading lanterns that still glowed faintly from the night before. Villagers gathered near the entrance of the path, their faces warm and grateful, some holding baskets of food, others pressing small charms and folded cloth into the hands of the departing group.
Horses stamped impatiently, leather harnesses creaking as riders adjusted their seats.
The atmosphere was light. Laughter lingered. Relief lingered.
The fear that once haunted this village had finally loosened its grip.
Maelis sat atop his horse, posture relaxed, exchanging final words with the village head. His pale hair caught the morning light, the soft breeze lifting a few strands across his forehead. He smiled easily, nodding as villagers bowed repeatedly, gratitude written clearly across their faces.
Riven stood nearby, holding Maelis horse steady while others mounted. His movements were precise, controlled, as if routine kept something heavier beneath the surface from slipping out.
The villagers waved as the group began to move.
Hooves struck the dirt path, steady and rhythmic.
They rode out together.
Laughter echoed faintly as the village disappeared behind them.
For a moment, it felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Maelis glanced sideways and noticed a familiar presence riding far too comfortably among them.
His brows lifted slowly.
"Why are you coming with us?" Maelis asked, raising his eyebrows at Theron, who rode confidently beside him as if he belonged there.
Theron turned his head slightly, a lazy grin playing on his lips as his horse matched Maelis pace effortlessly.
"Why? Can I not?" Theron replied casually, then urged his horse forward, riding a little faster, clearly enjoying himself.
Maelis clicked his tongue and urged his own horse to keep up, the two quickly riding side by side.
"You are very weird, do you know that?" Maelis said, voice carrying over the sound of hooves. "You literally sneaked out from your palace."
Theron laughed, the sound unrestrained. "Okay, I lied."
Maelis glanced at him sharply.
"My father told me to protect you," Theron continued easily. "He got news of you doing this mission from His Majesty. So now it is my duty to protect you. And also my duty to take you back to Ravencourt."
He smiled shamelessly as he rode ahead.
"Jerk," Maelis muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on the reins as he urged his horse faster.
Without warning, Maelis surged forward, overtaking Theron and leaving him behind with nothing but dust and laughter.
Theron stared for a moment before breaking into a wide grin, quickly chasing after him.
The rest of the group watched with amusement.
Caleb laughed openly, shaking his head. "Those two are something else."
Lucien sighed, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
Elric crossed his arms loosely as he rode. "They have been like this since childhood."
Kael snorted. "Still childish."
Amid their chatter, Riven rode in silence.
His grip on the harness was tight.
Too tight.
The leather creaked softly beneath his fingers as his knuckles paled. His gaze remained fixed ahead, though his mind was far from the road.
Caleb slowed slightly, matching Riven pace. Lucien, Elric, and Kael followed suit, forming a loose line beside him.
"Hey," Caleb said cautiously, glancing ahead at Maelis and Theron. "Do not you feel Prince Theron is hitting on our Crown Prince?"
The words landed heavier than intended.
Riven did not respond.
Elric scoffed lightly. "He is right. Have you noticed how he looks at our Crown Prince? Like he wants to devour him."
Riven abruptly pulled his horse to a stop.
The sudden halt startled the others.
His head hung low, dark hair falling over his eyes. His shoulders were rigid, breath shallow.
They were lucky.
If they had seen his eyes, burning with something sharp and dangerous, they would have stepped back instinctively.
The air around him felt different.
Colder. Denser.
Lucien swallowed and continued, voice quieter but firm. "I should not say this, but Riven, you need a reality check."
Riven did not move.
"Look at the Crown Prince," Lucien said steadily. "He is out of your league. You have feelings for him. We know. But sometimes those feelings become dangerous."
Riven's fingers curled slowly.
"He only sees you as a younger brother," Lucien continued. "He will not accept your love. He is already engaged to Princess Seraphine. She is beautiful. Intelligent."
Each word felt like a blade.
"And now your second competitor has arrived," Lucien added. "The son of His Majesty's close friend. Crown Prince childhood friend. Handsome. A skilled warrior. He even saved our Crown Prince."
Lucien exhaled slowly. "So, Riven, you have no chance left."
Silence followed. Heavy. Unforgiving.
Kael turned sharply, glaring at Lucien. "Enough."
He shifted his horse closer to Riven. "He is our friend and we should help our friend.... at any cost."
Caleb blinked. "Kael?"
Kael smirked, eyes glinting. "Do not worry. I have a master plan."
Riven lifted his head slightly, eyes still hidden.
"A master plan?" Caleb asked, intrigued.
"I will explain later," Kael said, urging his horse forward. "For now, move."
He rode ahead.
The others followed reluctantly.
Riven remained still for a moment longer.
Lucien glanced back, concern flickering across his face, before riding on.
Riven finally urged his horse forward, slowly at first.
His mind was a battlefield.
Every word replayed.
Every glance burned.
Lucien was right. Painfully right.
Maelis was distant. Unreachable. Already promised to another.
And now Theron.
Theron with his confident smile.
Theron with his familiar closeness.
Theron who touched Maelis without hesitation.
Riven's chest tightened.
His heart screamed. Begged.
He did not want Maelis fear.
He did not want Maelis disgust.
The thought of seeing hatred in those gentle eyes made his stomach twist violently.
But another voice whispered.
Low. Insistent.
If you do not act, you will lose him.
Forever.
Riven's breathing grew uneven.
His grip tightened again.
"I hope I do not need to get you by force, Maelis," he murmured under his breath, voice barely audible over the sound of hooves.
His eyes darkened.
"I cannot see hate and disgust in your eyes for me."
His jaw clenched.
"But if I have to force you to be mine," he whispered, something fractured in his voice, "I will not hesitate."
Even as the thought crossed his mind, his chest ached.
He hated himself for it. He hated the darkness creeping in.
He urged his horse forward suddenly, speeding up, leaving the others behind.
Dust rose as he closed the distance.
Ahead, Maelis laughed at something Theron said, unaware of the storm racing toward him.
Riven's gaze locked onto Maelis back.
Torn. Breaking. And yet moving closer.