Chapter 5

It's half an hour before sunset. I don a simple set of jewellery and a dress I've grown indifferent to, tying my hair back into a tight bun. A navy cloak conceals my identity. The last thing I need is for anyone to discover that I've ventured out after dark. Atlas's reaction would be severe—something I'm intent on avoiding.

I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself. The house is quieter now, with Solana's fiancé expected for dinner, a reminder of my own solitude. Atlas is preoccupied with Solana, so a sudden check-in is unlikely. To cover my absence, I've informed Iris that I'm feeling unwell and will retire early.

Stepping outside my room, I note that Noah is absent. He may be at Mother's grave, tidying up after visitors. I wonder if Mother is watching me now. She would likely find my attempt to escape both amusing and reckless. But she wouldn't have stopped me. Her advice was always to experience things first-hand, even if it meant risking danger. She was strong, but her illness made her vulnerable.

The tree outside my window looks deceptively close, but I realise the height of my drop. If I fall, I'll land in the grass below. It might hurt, but I'll manage. The countless times Brother pushed me during training have prepared me for this, or so I tell myself. I steady myself on the window ledge and jump.

I land on a thick branch but lose my footing, momentarily dangling before regaining my grip and dropping safely to the ground. I move swiftly to the back where the coachman is waiting, handing him a bag of gold coins to ensure his silence and loyalty. The journey to town should be straightforward, although the snowy path may slow us down.

As the carriage makes its way through the winding forest path, I can't shake the feeling of unease. The wolves that roam these woods are notorious, and the presence of such creatures is a risk I hadn't fully accounted for. I shudder at the thought of encountering one. I have no weapon to defend myself, and I doubt the coachman will be much help.

The growling starts, and I feel the eyes watching us. The path is dimly lit by moonlight, with shadows dancing among the trees. A lone wolf emerges, its stare fixed on us. The coachman panics, shouting for me to stay inside. He backs up the carriage, but the wolf circles us, it's eyes glowing with a malevolent red.

A dagger suddenly flies from the forest. The wolf dodges it, growling at the trees. No, not the forest—the man. I catch a glimpse of him now: tall, shadowed, his presence commanding. The wolf, it turns out, is a mother protecting her young.

Understanding dawns. I cannot stand by while this creature is threatened. I step out of the carriage, ignoring the coachman's frantic pleas. My concern is solely for the wolf and her babies. I kneel beside her, speaking softly. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. Let me help."

I'm speaking to a wolf as if she can understand me, but I hope she senses my intentions through my tone and actions. The wolf relaxes slightly, and I manage to hold her close, trying to offer comfort and protection.

"Why are you trying to kill her?" I ask, my voice steady as I confront the man who has emerged from the trees.

"Why are you getting in my way? Move."

His voice is cold, commanding. He stands over me, his midnight sword gleaming in the dim light. He smirks, an expression of disdain and amusement. I finally see him clearly: his black hair styled in neat, straight locks with a slight left parting, and his eyes are a striking shade of green, reminiscent of the aurora.

"Move? Are you serious? I'm not allowing you to harm this creature," I respond with controlled irritation, maintaining my composure. My mind races, calculating the best course of action. Time is of the essence, and this argument is a distraction I cannot afford.

He raises an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving his face. "And what makes you think you have any right to intervene? This is not your concern."

"Not my concern?" I retort, my tone sharp and analytical. "I'm here for a reason, and you're just a distraction. I don't have time for this."

He chuckles, his amusement evident. "A distraction? And here I thought you were just a misguided soul trying to play the hero. How quaint."

"I'm trying to get to town," I say, my frustration barely contained. "You're blocking my way, and I don't appreciate it. If you have some agenda, keep it out of my path."

His eyes narrow, his demeanour shifting from amused to coldly calculating. "You think you can just waltz in and out of matters that don't concern you? Your interference is more trouble than it's worth."

"Trouble?" I counter, my voice steady despite the chaos. "You're the one causing the disruption. I'm here for something important, and it doesn't involve whatever you're doing."

He steps closer, his presence commanding and unnerving. I catch a glimpse of the emblem on his cloak—an intricately designed black wolf. Recognition hits me like a jolt.

"You—" I start, but the realisation freezes me. Eiran, the Grand Duke, stands before me, his identity now unmistakable with the wolf emblem marking his cloak.

Eiran's smirk widens as he notices my recognition. "Ah, it seems you've figured it out. Impressive. Though it took you longer than I anticipated."

I stare at him, a mix of shock and frustration flooding my thoughts. "You're the Grand Duke. Why are you here?"

He raises an eyebrow, his expression one of calculated amusement. "Curiosity, perhaps? Or maybe destiny. But you're correct; I am the Grand Duke. And you are?"

"That is none of your concern," I reply, struggling to regain my composure. "I do not have time for games. I need to get to town."

Eiran's gaze relaxes, though his attitude remains aloof. "And what, pray tell, is so urgent that you would risk everything for it? Surely not just to play the hero."

I ignore his provocation, focusing instead on the immediate task. "This encounter has already delayed me enough. I need to leave now."

Eiran watches me intently, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Very well. But remember, our paths will cross again. And next time, you may not be so fortunate."

With that, he steps back into the shadows, leaving me to tend to the wolf and her young. But the image of that aurora lives still in my mind.