The Fearless Princess

r, darker, as though the forest itself was closing in around them. The air was thick, suffused with a low hum that only intensified the deeper they went. Seraphina could feel the

e. "Do you feel it? There's something here,

it too. It's not just the forest. There's something els

the well-the chains, the fire, the shadowy throne room-had shaken her more than she wanted to admit. And now, the pressure i

un a storm. Every rustle of leaves, every crack of a twig beneath their hors

ead. Seraphina's hand instinctively went to her sword, and Kael was

his voice low, his muscles ten

itself was holding its breath. And then, from the shadows, stepped a figure-a woman cloaked in dark green, her face obscur

lse quickened.

curling into a faint, almost knowing smile.

on her sword. "I'm not your enemy. I'm only tryin

sent a shiver down her spine. "Is that so? You're not the only one with a stake in this war, princess. Th

d, his sword raised in warning. "Who a

e didn't flinch. "I am Elira, an ally of sorts. And wha

ow furrowed. "

know him well. We were once... allies, long

rd slightly. "So you've come to help u

n unreadable. "I'm not here to help you, not rea

rt skipped a be

ke what's ours, and reshape the world as it should be. Or..." She paused, her gaze darkening. "Or you can continue down the path of the prophecy, the path that will bind you to a fate you cannot

sorbed Elira's words. Join her?

is sword tightening. "You speak of betrayal. How do we

should control. And I'm not asking you to trust me blindly. I'm asking you to open your eyes to what is happening around you. The darkness you've seen, the fir

She had felt it too-the power surging inside her, the mark on her palm burning with

hina asked cautiously, her instincts screaming that

ant the same thing you want, princess. The end of Malveros. But I want

wield the power that had been at the heart of the prophecy, to reshape the world, to end Malveros's reign of terr

ice firm. "Not for you, and not for Malveros. I will f

remember this: the darkness does not forgive those who defy it. And when the time

d vanished into the trees, her fi

sion settling over her like a heavy cloak. Kael mo

s won't let you go that easily. But you're not alone in

as unclear, and the stakes were higher than ever. But one thing was certain: th