Bloody war

Ave could barely keep her eyes open, but she forced them to remain like that with the thoughts of being strong for Lucian. Alden carried her around as they followed secret corners Ave had never known existed in the palace until now. She had no way of knowing about them because she didn't grow up here.

Seraphina and Alden navigated the paths and sneaked past guards, who were on high alert, looking around. They had briefly stopped in the first prince's chamber, where he put on proper attire and then handed his coat to the cold Ave, giving another to Seraphina as the dawn weather was freezing cold.

She wore the coat and watched from the side as the first prince moved swiftly around the room, picking up his weapons. He tucked a sword into the sheath at his waist and placed different kinds of daggers at various angles of his body. Then he picked up a bow, but as if contemplating something, he dropped it.