Chapter 68

Princess Elowen Starfire.

We marched not far behind our enemies, my heart beating fast, the blood boiling in my veins, alert to every sound and every smell as we advanced.

Render was in front, with the wolves and Aric by my side, always alert, giving orders to his faithful wolves. Even though I felt confused and euphoric, I led the way with my shoulders straight and my head held high. But inside... inside, I was chaos.

And yet, I kept going; nothing would stop me.

Aeloria, I could feel her.

As if she were close, but covered by a veil of shadows so thick that not even my magic could penetrate it.

We continued for a while, until I looked up at the sky. We had walked so far that it was already night, the sky was tinged black, and a few stars twinkled above us.

We stopped because it was late at night, stopping at an abandoned village in front of us. It was old and covered with twisted vines, silent as a graveyard. But it was the best we could hope for presently, out of sight of the orcs and the humans who accompanied them. We needed rest, even if it was only for a short time.

I looked at everyone, gesturing with my hand for them to stop.

“We're staying here tonight,” I announced, my voice firm despite the fatigue weighing on my shoulders. “But I want protective spells around us. Strong ones. So nothing can touch us without us knowing.”

Render approached immediately, his gray eyes attentive to my expression. Beside him, Thalir, one of the oldest and most powerful elves in our lineage, bowed his head in respect.

“Double conjuration spells?” he asked.

“Yes. Quadruple barriers. Sound, movement, magic, and blood.” I paused, taking a deep breath. “If anyone dares to cross, I want to feel it on my skin.”

It was a very time-consuming spell, requiring great effort, but I knew I could trust them completely.

As Render and Thalir began the incantation, their low chants echoing like ancient prayers through the trees and stones of the forgotten village, my servants worked to erect my tent.

I confess I was hungry; I needed to eat something, regain my strength, and sleep a little, even if only for a few hours.

“We will move forward at dawn,” I said, turning on my heels to look at my people. ''I want everyone ready, fed, and on their feet before the sun rises.”

My wolves were close by, alert. Their thick fur reflected the light of the torches, and their eyes glowed like embers. I approached the largest of them, and he bowed his head respectfully, as he always did.

“Scout the area,” I whispered, running my hand through the fur on his neck. ''I want to know if there's any movement of troops. If you smell anything strange... any energy, please let me know.”

He growled softly in agreement and disappeared into the night with the others, like shadows among the trees.

I was alone.

Or at least I thought I was, until I felt his presence behind me.

Aric.

His scent hit me before he even spoke, my body reacting before my mind was ready to deal with it. I turned slowly, meeting those intense eyes.

“You're tired,” he said. ”But stay strong; you don't need to pretend so much, Elowen.”

“I'm not pretending,” I replied, my voice low but firm. ‘My sister is in their hands. The only choice is to keep going.”

“And we will,'’ he murmured, moving closer. ''I'm here, by your side. No matter what comes, we'll get her out of there.”

His words caught me off guard. It wasn't the words themselves, but the way he looked at me. As if he wanted to break through all the walls I had built around my heart since the last time we were alone. Since he left the room, he left me with a silence that hurt more than any dagger stuck in my skin.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the memory of that moment—him walking away, his evasive gaze, the tension in the air. I didn't understand, and I hated not understanding.

When I opened my eyes, he was still there.

Watching me.

“My sister is outside,'' I muttered, looking away. Aeloria should be my biggest concern right now. And all I can think about is that I might lose her. And if that happens… I don't know what will become of me.''

“You'll find her,” Aric said firmly. “You'll save your sister, and I'll be with you until the end.”

He took another step closer, just one, and even so, I felt as if my body had moved closer to the warmth of a fire after days in the snow.

“You're not alone, Elowen,” he said softly. ”And I won't leave you again. Not ever.”

I looked at him, finally.

No masks, no defenses.

War could be lurking; danger could be just a step away. But there, at that moment… there was something stronger than all of that.

A silent promise.

And maybe... a chance.

The silence lingered for a few seconds, until he broke it.

“Sleep well, princess,” he said, his voice so hoarse that I felt the hairs on my body stand on end. “I'm going to my tent,” he said, and I looked at him, nodding slightly.

He looked at me for a few seconds and then turned away, walking toward his tent. Some wolves began to follow him, and some went in with him.

I turned toward mine, taking a deep breath, and some of my servants told me I could go in. I thanked them and went inside.

Everything was tidy, with a makeshift bed on the floor, well lined and looking very soft. I asked the servants for a bowl of water to wash myself and asked for some fruit and tea, and they brought it to me.

I washed my face as soon as the bowl was placed on a small table, washing my face carefully, some wounds on my body, and cleaning some dirt off my body. Then I changed, putting on a warmer dress, as it was a little cold that night.

Then I drank my tea to warm my body. I also wanted to calm my heart, but it was difficult.

I ate some fruit, and then, after cleaning my mouth with a cloth, Render asked permission to enter and greeted me.

“Lady, are you feeling well?”

“Yes, Render, I am. Please clean yourself up and eat well, for tomorrow we will leave early. You are my most trusted soldier, and I need you by my side.” He agreed, nodding. He said that the spell had been cast correctly and that he would leave, that he would be at my service early in the morning.

I said goodbye to him and lay down on the bed, covered myself, and then promised myself that I would save my sister. I wanted that promise to reach her.