The hidden path

The faint outline of a worn trail wound deeper into the forest, narrowing as the dense underbrush threatened to consume it entirely. Lyanna followed Kalen in reluctant silence, the events of the morning replaying in her mind like a haunting melody she couldn't shake. Her legs ached, and her patience wore thin, but the questions circling her thoughts kept her moving forward.

"Are we just wandering aimlessly, or is there an actual destination?" she asked, breaking the silence.

Kalen didn't stop walking. "The less you know about our path, the safer you'll be."

"Convenient answer for someone who refuses to explain anything."

His jaw tightened, though he didn't rise to the bait. "Do you always talk this much, or is it just nerves?"

Lyanna glared at the back of his head, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "If you think silence makes you trustworthy, you're sorely mistaken."

Kalen turned abruptly, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "Trust doesn't keep you alive in this world. Caution does."

The weight of his words silenced her retort, but only for a moment.

The Shadows Close In

The trail twisted through towering trees, their gnarled branches creating a canopy so thick that sunlight barely penetrated. Each step felt heavier than the last, the oppressive quiet of the forest amplifying every rustle and snap of twigs beneath their feet.

"Why won't you tell me where we're going?" Lyanna asked again, her voice softer this time.

Kalen glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "Because the Order has ears everywhere. The more I say, the more danger we're in."

Her stomach knotted at the mention of the Order of the Blooded Thorn. The memory of their masked assassins storming the palace was still fresh, their cold blades and ruthless efficiency etched into her mind.

"But you know this path," she pressed. "You've traveled it before."

"I know enough to get us where we need to go," he replied cryptically.

Before she could question him further, Kalen froze, holding up a hand to stop her. His sharp gaze scanned the surrounding trees, his body tense like a predator sensing danger.

Lyanna's breath hitched. "What is it?"

"Quiet," he hissed, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword.

A faint rustling sound echoed through the trees, growing louder with each passing second. Lyanna's heart pounded as the noise grew closer, too erratic to be the wind but too subtle to pinpoint.

Kalen grabbed her arm, pulling her into the shadow of a large tree. His voice was barely a whisper. "Stay close. Don't make a sound."

An Unseen Threat

The forest seemed to hold its breath, the rustling sound abruptly silenced. Lyanna pressed herself against the tree, her fingers gripping the bark as if it could anchor her racing thoughts.

Kalen stood in front of her, his sword drawn and his posture rigid. Every fiber of his being was focused on the unseen threat, his gaze darting through the trees like a hawk searching for prey.

Minutes stretched into eternity before a figure emerged from the shadows.

It was a woman, her features obscured by the hood of her dark cloak. Her steps were deliberate, her movements unnervingly graceful. She stopped several paces away, her head tilting slightly as if assessing them.

"Kalen," she said, her voice smooth and honeyed. "It's been a while."

Kalen's grip on his sword tightened. "What are you doing here, Selene?"

Lyanna's stomach dropped at the tension in his voice. Whoever this woman was, she wasn't a friend.

Selene's lips curved into a slow, almost predatory smile. "I could ask you the same thing. It's not like you to wander so far from the safety of your shadows."

Kalen didn't respond, his silence speaking volumes.

Selene's gaze shifted to Lyanna, her smile widening. "And who is this? She doesn't look like your usual... company."

Lyanna bristled at the insinuation but kept her mouth shut, sensing that now wasn't the time for pride.

"Leave, Selene," Kalen said, his voice low and warning. "You have no business here."

Selene took a step closer, her movements languid but deliberate. "Oh, but I think I do. Word travels fast, Kalen. The Crownless Queen, fleeing for her life, accompanied by a shadow who swore he'd never serve again."

Lyanna's eyes darted to Kalen, her confusion growing. "What is she talking about?" she demanded.

Kalen didn't answer, his focus remaining on Selene.

"You didn't tell her?" Selene laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. "Oh, this is rich."

"Selene," Kalen growled, his tone laced with warning.

"Fine, fine," Selene said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I'll leave. But not before giving you a warning."

Her gaze locked onto Lyanna, the mirth in her eyes replaced by something cold and calculating. "You're walking a dangerous path, Your Highness. Be careful who you trust."

With that, she turned and melted into the shadows, leaving an uneasy silence in her wake.

Unanswered Questions

Lyanna rounded on Kalen the moment Selene was gone. "What was that about? Who is she? And what did she mean about you serving?"

Kalen sheathed his sword, his expression hard. "She's no one you need to worry about."

"Don't lie to me," Lyanna snapped. "I have a right to know—"

"You have a right to survive," Kalen interrupted, his voice cutting through her protests. "And if you want to do that, you'll stop asking questions that could get us both killed."

Lyanna glared at him, her frustration boiling over. "You can't keep me in the dark forever, Kalen. I'm not some pawn for you to move around."

His eyes softened briefly, but the moment passed as quickly as it came. "No, you're not. But until you understand what we're up against, ignorance is your best defense."

She opened her mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped her. There was something there—pain, regret, and a heaviness that hinted at a past far more complicated than she'd imagined.

For now, she let the matter drop, but the questions lingered in her mind like shadows that refused to fade.