Seraphina clenched her fists, her breath hitching every time Adrian nearly got hit. Anxiety wrapped around her, but retreat was never an option for Adrian.
"The Shadow Guardian won't stop unless you step back," the creature said, its voice echoing through the trees. "Do you really want to risk your life for her?"
Adrian stared at the creature coldly, a sharp gleam in his eyes. "I'm not risking anything. I'm protecting someone precious. And you will not touch her."
His words struck deeper than Seraphina expected. Someone precious? The air around her seemed to slow, as if the world stopped for a moment.
The creature roared and lunged toward Adrian with unimaginable speed. Seraphina wanted to scream a warning, but before her voice could escape, Adrian had already moved—dodging the attack with a swift leap, then slashing through the shadow until it burst into a black mist that vanished into the air.
Silence fell. The remaining creatures hesitated, circling them, but didn't attack again.
"Your Highness." Seraphina stepped forward slowly, fear giving way to a warmth that gradually filled her chest. "You truly put yourself in danger for me."
Adrian lowered his sword, his shoulders rising and falling with each heavy breath. He turned to her, his gaze softer than usual. "It wasn't a danger I couldn't handle. And I'll never let anyone hurt you."
Something stirred in Seraphina's heart—a sense of safety she hadn't felt since arriving in Avalon. Not just because Adrian was strong, but because, for the first time, she saw another side of him.
A side that cared. A side that, though hidden beneath his cold demeanor, was brave and sincere in its protection.
"Your Highness, you're very different from what I expected," Seraphina whispered, more to herself.
Adrian gave a small smile. "I get that a lot." He looked out toward the mouth of the cave, making sure the creatures were truly gone. "They've left, for now. But we must stay alert. This isn't over."
"Your Highness," Seraphina stepped closer, curiosity brimming in her eyes. "What did they mean earlier? About me getting too close to a forbidden secret?"
Adrian fell silent for a moment, his expression darkening. "There are many things you don't know about your mother's past and her connection to this world. But that's not something we can talk about here."
He reached out his hand to her. "Let's return to the palace. I'll explain later, in a safer place."
Seraphina looked at his hand for a moment before gripping it firmly. "Alright. I trust you."
Adrian led her out of the cave, their eyes still alert to every movement around them. Though danger still lingered, Seraphina felt stronger than ever.
**
The cold night air stung Seraphina's skin as she trudged beside Adrian. The pale moonlight highlighted their weary faces, revealing small cuts on her body that now began to sting.
Adrian glanced at her, worry poorly hidden in his expression. "Can you still walk?" he asked.
Seraphina nodded slowly, even though her body was growing weak. "I'm alright," she replied, trying to smile despite the pain in her arm becoming harder to ignore. "It's nothing serious."
Adrian stopped, eyes narrowing. "Don't push yourself. If you need to rest, we can stop for a while."
"No," Seraphina answered quickly. "We have to return before those creatures change their minds and attack again."
Adrian sighed, then without warning, crouched down and lifted Seraphina into his arms. She gasped, eyes wide.
"What are you doing, Your Highness? I can walk!"
He didn't answer, continuing forward steadily as if carrying a feather. "Save your strength. We don't have time to argue."
Seraphina fell silent, her face slightly flushed. From this close, she could feel Adrian's steady heartbeat, a contrast to the storm of fear and exhaustion still raging in her chest.
"Your Highness," she murmured softly, "thank you for coming just in time."
Adrian glanced at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You don't need to thank me. I already told you—I won't let anyone hurt you."
They walked on in silence, only the sound of footsteps and the whisper of the wind accompanying them. The forest thinned out, revealing the open fields leading to the palace.
Valoria Palace stood tall in the distance, its windows glowing like stars in the night. Seraphina sighed in relief at the sight of its towering spires. Despite the intrigues and dangers it held, the palace still offered a sense of security compared to the darkness of the woods.
But the peace was short-lived. In her mind, the Shadow Guardian's words echoed: You've gone too far. Darkness awaits you.
"Your Highness," Seraphina broke the silence. "Do you think all of this has something to do with my mother's past?"
Adrian slowed his steps, his expression growing serious. "I don't want to get ahead of what you're meant to discover on your own. But yes, there are many truths that have been kept from you. Things that might be far greater than you imagined."
Seraphina's thoughts became clouded with questions. "Is that why they keep hunting me?"
"Yes," Adrian answered shortly. "And that's why you must be more careful from now on."
They finally reached the back gates of the palace. A guard opened the door immediately, his expression turning anxious upon seeing Seraphina wounded.
"Prince Adrian, what happened?" he asked.
"There was an attack in the forest," Adrian replied quickly. "Send the palace healer to Seraphina's room. Make sure her wounds are properly treated."
Seraphina wanted to protest—her injuries weren't that bad, she just needed rest—but Adrian's firm gaze silenced her.
Inside the palace, the warmth returned, though tension still lingered between them. Adrian accompanied Seraphina all the way to her room, ensuring everything was secure before leaving.
Before stepping out, he paused at the door. "Seraphina," he said, "from now on, don't go out alone, especially at night. If you're looking for clues about your mother's past, we'll do it together."
Seraphina looked into his eyes, sensing the sincerity in his words. "I understand. And I appreciate it. I can't do this without your help."
Adrian closed the door quietly, leaving Seraphina alone in her room.
She walked to the window, gazing out toward the forest they had just left behind. That strange feeling returned. The secrets hidden within her mother's past weren't just about family—they were something far bigger. Something that could change everything.