Kayden arrived at the palace in a violent distortion of space, the air snapping back into place as though reality itself had been wounded. The ancient stone beneath his boots groaned softly, runes etched into the gates flickering in protest before settling once more.
He straightened slowly, cloak settling around his broad frame, eyes already searching.
Yuto was not there.
The palace gates stood open, guards moving about in lazy familiarity, unaware that something had gone terribly wrong. Kayden remained still, listening—not with his ears, but with the magic coiled beneath his skin.
Nothing.
Minutes passed.
A tightness crept into his chest, sharp and unwelcome. His jaw clenched, muscles tensing as instinct screamed that the silence was unnatural. Yuto should have arrived by now. She never lingered when summoned. Never strayed far enough to vanish completely.
Unless…
Kayden exhaled slowly through his nose.
If his brother sensed even a flicker of danger—if he realized that something had gone wrong with his rabbit—the palace would not survive the fallout.
Closing his eyes, Kayden reached inward and outward all at once, forging a silent connection with his horse. The bond snapped tight instantly, images bleeding into his mind—crowded streets, the clatter of hooves, the scent of fear trailing like smoke.
"The town," he murmured, fury rolling through him like a rising tide.
"That stubborn little…"
He cut himself off as a thought formed, dark and delicious. His lips curled into a slow grin.
Chaos had always been inevitable.
"I'd better inform my brother," Kayden said softly, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Before he figures it out on his own."
---
Yuto moved through the crowd with her head lowered, cloak drawn tight around her slight frame. The capital was loud—too loud. Every shout, every burst of laughter scraped against her nerves. She forced herself not to hurry.
Hurrying drew attention.
Her heartbeat thundered as she slipped between bodies, every tall figure sending a spike of fear through her chest. She didn't stop until the carriage station came into view, horses stamping impatiently as coachmen argued over fares.
"I'd like a trip to the southern border," she said, sliding a gold coin into her palm.
The coachman's eyes gleamed. He pocketed it without hesitation.
"Pleased to serve you, my lady. Hop on."
Yuto nodded and climbed into the carriage. The door shut with a dull thud, and as the wheels lurched forward, a breath she hadn't realized she was holding finally escaped her lungs.
Relief washed over her in a dizzying wave.
She leaned back, heart gradually slowing.
Narnia,she thought. The fractured southern kingdom lay beyond the borders of rigid law and ruthless power. Far enough that pursuit would be… complicated.
Going home was not an option.
Returning to her own kingdom would mean execution—if she was lucky.
The carriage rolled on, the city streets blurring past. After several minutes, curiosity gnawed at her. Carefully, she lifted the curtain just enough to peer outside.
Her heart stopped.
Kayden stood near the road, one hand resting casually on his horse's reins.
Still. Calm.
Waiting.
Their eyes met.
For one horrifying second, the world froze.
Yuto's blood turned to ice. She dropped the curtain instantly, hands trembling as she pressed her palms together.
'No. No—'
She prayed silently, desperately, every breath a plea. The carriage creaked forward, the distance between them stretching unbearably slow.
Then the gates passed.
No shout. No pursuit.
The capital disappeared behind them.
Yuto slumped against the seat, chest aching as she finally allowed herself to breathe.
---
Hours later, dusk had settled into full night when the coachman slowed near a small village nestled beside a narrow river.
"We'll rest the horses here," he said, guiding them toward a modest inn.
Yuto stepped down, legs stiff from the journey. Lantern light spilled warmly from the inn's windows, promising safety she knew better than to trust.
"Do you mind if I ask your name, my lady?" the coachman said casually.
"Yuri," she replied without thinking.
"That's a rare one," he chuckled. "And traveling so far south—must be important."
"Personal reasons," she said quietly. "Excuse me."
She slipped inside before he could ask more.
The inn buzzed with low conversation and clinking cups. Smoke curled lazily toward the ceiling. Yuto found a corner seat and unpacked the small meal she'd been given earlier. Only then did she realize how exhausted she was.
She ate slowly, mechanically, the world narrowing to the sound of her own chewing.
A shadow fell across the table.
"Mind if I sit?"
Her body tensed before she looked up.
The man across from her wore a friendly smile, a faint dimple creasing his left cheek. He was handsome in an ordinary way—clean, approachable, disarming.
"I'm sorry," he laughed softly. "You just looked… adorable."
Yuto froze mid-bite, cheeks puffed. Heat rushed to her face. She had never been spoken to like this. Never—as herself.
He laughed again. "I've never seen such a beautiful lady."
She swallowed quickly. "I'm married."
The words came out sharper than intended.
He chuckled. "Is that the best line you could come up with?"
"It's the truth."
"Oh?" His eyes gleamed. "Then what's your husband's name?"
"Kae—"
She stopped, shock flickering across her face. "I'm not interested," she said firmly, standing.
His hand shot out, gripping her wrist.
The room seemed to quiet.
"I wouldn't do that," he murmured, grip tightening painfully. "She said she'd pay double if I brought you back alive."
Yuto's blood ran cold.
"She mentioned a prince," he continued, voice dropping. "But when I saw you… I knew. No prince. Just a princess."
His nails lengthened suddenly, digging into her palm. Pain flared.
"You're not human," Yuto whispered, wrenching her hand free despite the tearing pain.
Blood welled, but she ignored it, sliding her hand beneath her skirt and closing her fingers around the hidden hilt.
The man's grin widened unnaturally, teeth sharpening.
"You want to play?" he said eagerly. "It's been a long time since I had a real fight."
Yuto drew her sword.
Steel whispered through the air.
The inn fell silent.
Glass shattered as the inn door slammed open, the force of it knocking several patrons off their feet. An icy, suffocating pressure flooded the room, stealing the breath from every living thing inside.
Jack stiffened.
His confident grin faltered as his gaze dragged toward the doorway.
Yuto didn't need to turn.
She felt him.