The evening sun stretched long golden rays across Rugarda Forest, filtering through dense canopies and washing the forest with molten light.
In the far depths, where the ancient groves slept and roots were thicker than tree trunks, a ripple passed across the moss.
A tall, feminine silhouette emerged from the heartwood of an enormous tree.
Bare feet touched the soil.
Emerald eyes opened.
Lyratheia, Dryad of the Verdant Veins, had made her choice.
She had laughed at Druvarn—mocked and teased him.
Till the end, not believing his words.
But his words…
They had planted a seed of curiosity deep within her.
So she came.
That same evening.
Before Druvarn could even think that she would.
Before the city could sense a powerful being slithering into its midst, and certainly before this "Kael" could expect a visitor like her.
With a thought, her vines retreated beneath her skin.
Her bark-smooth legs became soft flesh.
