Chapter 3: Hidden in the Shadows

Part 1: Nothing Has Changed

Aris was six now, but nothing had changed.

She still slept in the same hidden room beneath the Kael estate. She still ate in secret, spoke in whispers, and watched the world from behind locked doors. The world outside was vast, filled with towering cities, golden palaces, and people with gifts that could shake the earth or command the wind. But for Aris, it might as well have been a dream.

She traced her fingers along the small wooden gryphon beside her pillow—the same one Rael had given her on her fifth birthday. The edges were smooth now from where she had held it so many times. She liked to imagine it as a real gryphon, wings outstretched, ready to take flight. Ready to take her with it.

But she had no wings.

And no matter how much she wished for it, she could not leave this place.

She rolled onto her side, tucking the gryphon against her chest. But tonight, unlike all the others, there was a small spark of excitement beneath the dull ache in her heart.

Tomorrow, Rael would teach her how to fight.

It wasn't much—not yet. But it was something. A piece of freedom, even if it was only within these walls.

Clutching the carving close, she let her eyes slip shut.

She could almost see herself—blade in hand, standing tall, unafraid.

Part 2: Morning Light

The first thing Aris felt was warmth.

A thin sliver of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the wooden boards above, casting golden streaks across the stone walls. It was a small thing, barely noticeable, but Aris always woke up early enough to catch it.

It made her feel like the sun was saying hello.

She stretched her limbs beneath the thick blankets before kicking them off, blinking sleep from her eyes. The wooden gryphon had slipped from her grasp in the night, resting beside her pillow. She picked it up and held it for a moment, tracing the delicate carved wings.

"One day, I'll fly too," she whispered, setting it carefully back on her pillow.

She slid out of bed and tiptoed across the cold floor, reaching for the small metal basin filled with water. She cupped it in her hands, splashing the coolness over her face before grabbing the soft-bristled brush her mother had given her. The bristles had worn down over the years, but they still worked fine. She scrubbed her teeth with a crushed mint leaf, just like her mother had taught her, letting the sharp taste wake her up fully.

Today was important.

Today, Rael would teach her how to fight.

Just as she finished washing up, a gentle knock came from the hidden door. She smiled. Her mother was always the first person she saw in the morning.

Lady Kael stepped inside, carrying a small tray with breakfast. She was dressed in a flowing gown, her dark hair pinned neatly in an elegant style, but her smile was warm, her movements soft as she set the tray down.

"Good morning, my little star," her mother murmured, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of violet hair behind Aris's ear.

Aris grinned. "Good morning, Mother."

Lady Kael glanced at the wooden gryphon still resting on the bed and smiled. "You still keep it close."

"Of course," Aris said, sitting cross-legged as her mother carefully poured warm tea into a small porcelain cup.

She picked up a piece of buttered bread, taking a bite as her mother sat beside her, reaching for the brush on the bedside table.

"Turn around," she said softly.

Aris did as she was told, chewing thoughtfully as her mother began to comb through her long hair with gentle hands.

It was always like this—quiet moments just for them.

Her mother would braid her hair, humming a soft melody as they talked about little things. Not about the world outside. Not about the dangers that lurked beyond these walls. But about stories, about books, about anything that made their small world feel a little bigger.

"You're excited about today," Lady Kael murmured, her fingers weaving through Aris's hair.

Aris nodded. "Rael says I have to be strong."

Her mother was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "Yes. But strength is not just about fighting."

"Then what is it about?"

Lady Kael paused before she gently tied off the end of Aris's braid. She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her head.

"You'll learn in time," she whispered.

Aris frowned but didn't argue. Instead, she leaned into her mother's warmth, savoring the moment.

Because even though she was six now, and nothing had changed—this part of her world was something she never wanted to lose.

Part 3: The First Lesson

For the first time in her life, Aris stepped outside.

The air smelled different here—fresh, crisp, alive. A soft breeze tickled her skin as she stood in the backyard, her bare feet pressing into the cool grass. She had dreamed about this moment for years, but now that she was here, she didn't want to move too quickly—afraid that if she did, it would all disappear.

The stables stood nearby, their wooden beams weathered but strong. She could hear the low snorts of the horses and the occasional rustling of wings—her parents' gryphons shifting in their stalls.

But Aris had no time to stare in awe.

Because Rael was watching her.

His arms were crossed, his bronze hair tied neatly at the nape of his neck. He looked calm—too calm—as if he were waiting for her to make the first move.

"Alright, little star," he said, amusement in his voice. "Show me what you've got."

Aris tore her eyes away from the vast sky above her and focused.

She had spent years reading about the enforcers. Their strength, their training, the way they fought. She had imagined herself standing like them, moving like them. And now, she was finally getting her chance.

She took a deep breath, shifting her weight onto the balls of her feet. Then, she charged.

Or, at least, she tried to.

Rael stepped aside at the last second, and Aris stumbled, nearly falling face-first into the dirt.

A deep, warm chuckle rumbled from him. "Not bad."

Aris scowled, brushing the grass from her hands. "You didn't even let me hit you!"

"Well," Rael mused, tilting his head, "that's the point, isn't it? If I were an enforcer, you'd already be on the ground."

She crossed her arms, kicking at a stray rock. "Then teach me how to hit you."

His grin widened. "With pleasure."

He stepped closer and nudged her foot with his own. "First, your stance is too stiff. You need to be balanced but light on your feet—like this." He adjusted his footing, moving effortlessly. Aris watched closely, then mimicked his movements.

"Good. Now, hands up. Always protect your face."

She raised her fists, curling them tightly.

Rael reached out and gently knocked her wrist. "Looser. You want to be ready to move, not frozen like a statue."

Aris adjusted again, her fingers twitching with the unfamiliar motion.

Rael's smile widened. "See? You're learning."

And then—without warning—he struck.

Not hard, just a quick, testing movement. His open palm moved toward her side.

Aris jerked away. It was clumsy, awkward—but she dodged.

Rael looked pleased. "Good. You're quicker than you think."

A slow grin spread across Aris's face.

Maybe, just maybe, she really could learn to fight.

Part 4: A Father's Gift

Aris moved carefully, just as Rael had taught her.

She kept her feet apart, her knees slightly bent, as she shifted into the next stretch. Flexibility was just as important as speed, Rael had said. A body that was stiff and untrained would only slow her down.

She exhaled slowly, pressing her palms to the cool stone floor.

One. Two. Three.

She counted the seconds in her head, holding the position before shifting into another. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she had already begun to feel the slow, pleasant burn in her limbs when—

The door unlocked.

Aris quickly straightened, finishing the last stretch before turning toward the entrance.

She expected to see Rael.

She expected his usual smirk, the amused look in his eyes as he teased her about training too hard.

But it wasn't Rael.

Her father stood in the doorway.

Aris froze, her heart jumping into her throat.

He rarely came to see her. It wasn't that he ignored her entirely—he provided for her, kept her hidden, ensured she had books to read and lessons to study. But he was distant, quiet. She had always known that he loved her, but he never said it aloud.

Still, she had been trained well.

She immediately bowed, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "Father."

Lord Kael did not move from the doorway. His piercing gaze swept over her, unreadable as ever.

"How are you?" His voice was even, controlled.

Aris hesitated. It was a simple question, but one she had never been asked directly by him before.

"…I'm well," she said finally. "Rael is teaching me how to fight."

Something flickered across her father's face. Not anger, nor approval. Just thought.

After a moment, he gave a single nod. "Good. Strength is necessary."

An awkward silence settled between them.

Lord Kael turned slightly, as if about to leave.

Aris felt a sudden **urge to speak—**to say something, anything, before he disappeared again.

"Father."

He paused.

Aris clenched her hands together, forcing herself to meet his gaze. Her voice was steady, but quiet.

"…Can I have a companion?"

Her father raised a brow. "A companion?"

She nodded, hope sparking in her chest. "A pet. Something to keep me company."

For a long moment, Lord Kael simply stared at her. Measuring. Considering.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"I will consider it."

He turned and left, the door closing behind him.

Aris let out a slow breath.

Maybe—just maybe—he would actually say yes.

Part 5: The Bond of Souls

It had been a week since Aris last saw her father.

A week since she had placed her request.

She had almost convinced herself that he had forgotten.

Aris exhaled slowly, tightening her grip on the wooden sword. Focus.

She swung the blade, stepping forward with the correct form Rael had taught her. The wooden weapon was light in her hands, but she knew that if she ever wanted to wield a real sword, she had to master this first.

She adjusted her stance, preparing for another strike—

The door unlocked and opened.

Aris lowered the blade, expecting to see Rael.

Instead, both Rael and her mother stepped inside.

Lady Kael smiled, her soft eyes filled with warmth. "How are you, little star?"

"Good," Aris said, straightening.

Rael crossed his arms, tilting his head as he examined her form. His gaze was sharp, but there was approval in his expression. "Not bad. You're keeping your balance better."

Aris grinned at the compliment.

Then, her mother spoke again.

"Your father is here."

Aris blinked.

She tried to school her expression, tried not to look too surprised, but her heart had already started pounding.

Her mother stepped aside, and Lord Kael entered the room.

His presence was quiet, commanding—unshaken, as always.

He glanced at the wooden sword in her hands, then at her flushed face from training. "How are you?"

Aris swallowed. "I'm well."

Her father gave a small nod, then lifted his gaze to her mother. A silent exchange passed between them, one that Aris couldn't read.

Finally, Lord Kael spoke again.

"Your mother's gryphon and mine have produced a hatchling."

Aris froze.

Gryphons didn't reproduce often. It was a rare thing, a precious thing.

Her father's gryphon, a massive male with wings black as night, had always been one of the strongest in the kingdom. Her mother's gryphon was smaller but graceful, fast as the wind. Together, they were formidable.

And now… they had produced another?

Lord Kael's gaze was unreadable as he looked at her. "I have decided to grant your request."

The words settled in slowly.

Aris's fingers curled around the hilt of her wooden sword, her breath catching in her throat.

Her father hadn't forgotten.

He gestured toward the doorway. A stable hand entered—carrying something small, wrapped carefully in soft, protective cloth.

Lord Kael took it, and turned to face her.

Aris held completely still as he stepped forward.

Then, he lowered the bundle into her arms.

Aris barely breathed.

She unwrapped the cloth carefully, her heart hammering wildly.

And there it was.

A tiny creature curled against the fabric, its small wings twitching. Its fur was deep black, but as the light hit it, strange silvery markings shimmered across its body—glowing faintly, shifting like living shadows.

And then—it opened its eyes.

A pair of piercing violet eyes.

Just like hers.

Something sharp and invisible pierced through Aris's chest.

A strange, powerful force coiled deep within her, pulling her toward the hatchling. She gasped, her arms trembling as a searing heat spread from her wrist—

And then, suddenly—

The markings on the gryphon's body flared to life.

The silver streaks pulsed, shifting like liquid light, and at the same time, an identical marking burned itself into Aris's skin—starting from her wrist, crawling up to her elbow like a living brand.

Aris gasped, clutching the gryphon to her chest as her vision blurred.

And then, for the first time, she heard a voice that was not her own.

You are mine. And I am yours.

The words echoed inside her skull, soft yet absolute.

Aris's eyes widened. Her heart pounded wildly.

The room fell silent.

Her mother was staring, hand raised slightly toward her lips.

Rael had gone still, his usually calm expression now rigid with shock.

Even Lord Kael's eyes had narrowed, his gaze flicking between Aris and the gryphon.

This was not normal.

Gryphons bonded with their riders at fifteen.

Aris was six.

And yet—

She knew, without a doubt, that this tiny creature now belonged to her.

Aris lifted her hand, staring at the new marking on her skin. It was the same shimmering silver as the gryphon's, curling around her wrist like a chain of light.

But as the bond sealed completely, the silver darkened.

What had once glowed as bright as the stars slowly shifted—deepening, darkening, until it was as black as the night sky.

A mark that stood out boldly against her skin.

A mark that no other rider had ever received.

She looked down at the hatchling.

It had already nestled into her arms, completely content—completely hers.

"What…" Lady Kael finally breathed. "What just happened?"

No one had an answer.

Even Lord Kael looked troubled.

But Aris?

She only held the tiny gryphon closer.

Nyx.

The name had appeared in her mind, whispered from the same voice that had spoken inside her head.

She smiled.

Nyx.

And she knew—without a single doubt—they would never be apart.

Part 6: The Aftermath

The silence stretched.

Aris could feel every heartbeat in the room.

Her mother's breath had gone quiet. Rael stood motionless. Even Lord Kael, who rarely showed emotion, had a furrow in his brow as his gaze flickered between Aris and Nyx.

Aris herself didn't know what to say.

The heat of the bonding mark still pulsed against her wrist, like a second heartbeat. Nyx shifted slightly in her arms, stretching her small wings before tucking them close to her body.

A bond had formed.

Too early. Too impossibly early.

Usually, when a rider bonded with a gryphon, the mark appeared somewhere on their body—its size and shape varied for each person. Some were faint, nearly invisible unless looked at closely. Others were bold, spreading across their arms or shoulders like ink-stained patterns.

But Aris's…

Her mark was dark as night, carved from wrist to elbow in a twisting, intricate design.

And Nyx's—

Rael's gaze flickered to the gryphon's right shoulder, where an equally dark marking had appeared.

"This isn't ordinary," he muttered, his voice unreadable.

Lady Kael's lips pressed together, a flicker of unease in her expression.

Gryphons never bonded this young.

Gryphons never left marks this distinct.

And yet, Nyx had done both.

Lord Kael finally exhaled. He turned to his wife. "We should speak. Alone."

Lady Kael nodded slowly.

Aris clutched Nyx a little tighter, feeling something shift in the air.

She didn't want them to talk about her like she wasn't here. She wanted answers, too.

But before she could say anything, Lord Kael turned back to her. His sharp eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw something other than distance in them.

A flicker of unease.

A flicker of fear.

"Take care of it," he finally said, nodding toward Nyx.

And then, without another word, he turned and left the room.

Lady Kael lingered for a moment, stepping closer to tuck a loose strand of Aris's hair behind her ear. Her fingers were warm. Gentle.

"Stay with Rael," she said softly. "I'll be back soon."

Aris barely nodded before her mother followed her father out of the training hall, the heavy door closing behind them.

The silence returned.

For a long moment, Rael didn't speak.

Then, with a quiet sigh, he crouched down in front of her, his face finally softening.

"Well," he murmured, studying her new companion. "I guess you got what you wanted."

Aris swallowed.

She looked down at Nyx, who was watching her with those deep violet eyes.

Nyx's voice echoed in her head again, softer this time.

You are mine. And I am yours.

A warmth bloomed in her chest.

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Yeah," she whispered, stroking the tiny gryphon's fur.

"I did."