very attack before it happened, his sword flashing beneath the moonlight, forcing the men to

urelia shouted, her voice breaking with fear, her hand flying to her mouth. The man turned without hesitation, as

, we will return with more men and make you regret this," their leader warned, his voice trembling despite h

ng my time and testing my patience," he said coldly, his tone dismissive and final. The men disappeare

her legs shaking, her dress torn and dusty

nd controlled. "You should be more careful about where you wander at night. The Red Realm is not a p

hin despite the fear still shaking her hands. Escaping from what? What could

y and where to live forever without choice," she answered, her eyes flashing with defiance and unshed tear

d with faint amusement but also with a concern he tried to hide. Somewhe

ss with your own life?" he asked, his v

n marrying a stranger

s who romanticize escape. You will not survive out here w

am just a child who knows nothing about life and cannot

dy to leave her alone again. "Wait! at least tell me your name. You saved me, I should know who yo

rget me, princess. It will be easier for you that way and safer for both of us," he said quietly. Then he walked away, leaving her standing o

on the rough road. Aurelia stood between two attendants, her hair tangled and her face smudged, whil

re? You could have been killed out here alone without protection!

to fall. Do you think marriage is worse than death? Do you think we would give you to someone cruel who would hurt you? We lov

ed in dark armor that gleamed under torchlight, his face composed but h

and observant. Where the Underworld king ruled through fear and intimidation, Darian preferred to obs

hey have chosen defiance over wisdom and will pay the price for their arrogance," he announced co

seemed unnecessary. "The agreement that would have prevented war. I offered them an opportunity to coop

er, if our objective is peace between the realms, why mu

at being questioned. Earth has forgotten the power of the Underworld. Its king believes he

ain. That is how empires last eternally, through strength and fear tha

doubts. The king placed a heavy, possessive hand on his shoulder, gripping tightly. "When the full moon rises, you will lead our

h a burden he did not want to carry into a w