The sun was sinking low, painting the sky in shades of gold and red. Down by the courtyard near the docks, everything was ready.
The Silver Fangs stood together, gear strapped tight, swords at their sides, cloaks drawn close against the sea breeze.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImFSxhX5mQ
Not far off, city guards checked their armor, tugging at straps and buckles one last time. Horses were saddled, wagons loaded, all standing in neat rows—waiting.
Cassian leaned against a wooden post, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the road leading into town.
Kael let out a long sigh. “How much longer are we supposed to wait?”
“Long enough for me to turn into an icicle,” Rook muttered, stamping his boots against the stone.
Cassian smirked faintly. “Patience. He’ll come.”
Leila adjusted her belt with a knowing grin. “I bet he’s with Mira. Saying his sweet goodbyes.”
That earned a few snickers.
“Must be nice,” Rook said, chewing on a fig. “I don’t remember anyone waving me off when I left home.”
Kael snorted. “That’s because nobody likes you.”
Even Grey gave a quiet nod, which only made the others laugh harder.
Their laughter faded, but their eyes kept drifting toward the road. Overhead, seagulls wheeled and cried; the sea rolled against the docks in a steady hush. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvbjst5Tb0
It felt as though the whole courtyard was holding its breath.
Everything was ready. All that remained was for Prince Lucien to arrive.
Then—at last—two figures appeared at the far end of the road.
Lucien walked beside Mira, his golden hair catching the last of the sunset. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NIPqo6A94
There was no urgency in his step, only an easy calm, as though every moment mattered more than reaching the end.
Mira walked close beside him, gaze fixed ahead. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoVAur4c2N
Every so often, Lucien leaned slightly toward her, saying something too low for the others to hear. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq3L4DHNDS
She answered with a soft smile that the wind nearly stole away.
“Well, there it is,” Rook muttered. “Leila wins the bet.”
Leila smirked. “Told you.”
Kael chuckled quietly. “And here I thought he’d keep us waiting till moonrise.”
Cassian said nothing, though his gaze lingered on the pair as they approached.
Lucien and Mira slowed as they reached the courtyard. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pGtSOWQae
The Silver Fangs straightened; the city guards came to attention. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCmhRto83x
Yet the prince looked first to Mira, his voice soft enough that the men almost had to strain to hear.
“Thank you,” he said. “For walking me here.”
Mira tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling faintly. “Safe travels, Your Highness.”
For a heartbeat, nothing stirred—only the gulls above and the sea lapping against the docks.
The weight between them lingered until Lucien turned toward his men. “Is everyone ready?” he asked, his tone turning firm.
Cassian nodded. “As ready as we can be.”
“By the way,” Mira asked lightly, “why travel after sunset?”
Lucien turned back to her with a small, mischievous smile. “Because we need to reach Blackbarrow before the Crows can send reinforcements—and the night gives us cover.”
“Ah,” Mira said softly. “Makes sense. They wouldn’t have expected their plan to fail yesterday.”
Rook chuckled. “That’s all thanks to you—and that… vampire.”
“Yeah, him too,” Lucien admitted with a faint laugh. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBr9cEppgL
Then his gaze lingered on Mira a moment longer. “Don’t worry. We’ll be there before noon tomorrow. The Crows won’t catch us.”
Mira’s smile wavered, a flicker of worry in her eyes. “Just… be careful, all right?”
Lucien’s voice lowered. “I will. You have my word.”
From behind, Kael cleared his throat. “If we’re going, best do it now.”
Cassian nodded. “The men are ready, Your Highness.”
Lucien gave one last look at Mira—as if trying to memorize her, the sea wind in her hair, the fading light on her face.
Then, with a quiet breath, he turned and stepped toward his men.
The Silver Fangs straightened. The guards moved into formation. Wagons creaked as the caravan prepared to leave.
“Goodbye, Mira,” Lucien said softly, his voice wavering just a little. “For now.”
Mira watched him go, her fingers tightening briefly at her side before she forced herself to smile. “Until we meet again.”
The caravan rolled out, the clatter of hooves and wheels fading into the amber dusk.
When the last banner disappeared down the road, Mira stood a while longer—alone with the sea breeze and the quiet ache of farewell...
The road stretched ahead, winding between dark pines, the whisper of the sea still faint behind them.
Lantern light swayed from Rook’s hand as the group rode along the dirt path, hooves crunching over loose gravel. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHQMXtsyPQ
Above, the moon hung pale and distant, painting their shadows long and silver.
After a while, Rook broke the silence.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKpFHg27On
“So… did you ask her to come along?” he asked casually, tossing a glance toward Lucien.
Lucien raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
“Mira, obviously.” Rook smirked. “You two looked like you were having some kind of moment back there.”
Lucien exhaled through his nose, faintly amused. “No, I didn’t ask her. If Mira wants to come, she’ll come. I don’t need to tell her what to do.”
Leila, riding not far behind, rolled her eyes. “You really have no idea how a girl thinks, do you?”
Lucien turned slightly. “What do you mean?”
Leila sighed, adjusting her cloak. “Sometimes it’s not about needing to be asked, Your Highness. It’s about wanting to be asked.”
Rook chuckled. “She’s right. Some girls just want to hear you say it.”
Lucien looked ahead again, the lantern’s glow catching his thoughtful expression. “Maybe,” he said after a pause, “but Mira’s not like most girls.”
Leila smiled faintly. “That’s what all men say before they realize they’ve said the wrong thing.”
Kael snorted, and even Grey stifled a laugh.
Lucien shook his head with a quiet smile. “You all talk too much.”
Their laughter echoed softly through the trees, carried away by the cool night air.
For a while, they rode in easy rhythm—just the steady clop of hooves and the distant hiss of waves below the cliffs.
Then came the sound of hooves approaching from behind.
Cassian turned slightly in his saddle, hand brushing his hilt.
A voice called out, “Your Highness!”
It was Dimitri, leader of the city guard escorting them to Blackbarrow.
His horse slowed as he came alongside, breath misting in the chill air.
“Our tail’s clear—no sign of pursuit,” Dimitri reported. “If we keep riding like this, we could reach Blackbarrow around sunrise.”
Cassian gave a curt nod. “Good. Keep some men at the rear. If anything moves out of line, I want to know before it’s on us.”
Dimitri saluted. “Understood, sir.”
Rook stretched with a groan. “Sunrise, huh? Guess that means no sleep tonight.”
Kael smirked. “You can sleep when we reach Blackbarrow.”
Rook grumbled. “You always say that—and somehow, I never do.”
Leila chuckled. “That’s because you snore loud enough to wake the horses.”
“I do not!” Rook protested.
“You do,” Grey said quietly—and the whole group laughed again.
Even Lucien’s lips curved in amusement. “At least the noise might scare off any bandits.”
The road bent ahead, swallowed by the dark silhouette of the forest. Their laughter faded as the night deepened, the air growing colder.
Somewhere far off, a wolf howled as they rode on under the pale moonlight…
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and then Add to home screen.