LOGINArianna’s POV I woke up to the feeling of something cold touching my face. I groaned and slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I noticed was the ground beneath me. I was lying on damp leaves and mud. I frowned, confusion washing over me. Where was I? I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head. I pressed a hand against my temple. Then, the memories came rushing back to me. The hut. The couple. The food. My eyes widened and I quickly checked my shoulder. My backpack was gone. So was the gold and the coins Cassian had given me before I left the palace. My hands began to tremble. “No...” My breath shook as I searched around me frantically, hoping I would find the bag nearby. But nothing. They had taken everything. The couple had drugged me, stolen my belongings, and abandoned me somewhere in the forest. Unshed tears stung my eyes. How could I have been so foolish? I had survived dangerous beasts, and a carriage driver who abandoned me. Yet I had allowed tw
Arianna’s POV I held the badge tightly in my hand, staring at the name engraved on its surface. Lucian. Who was he? How did he end up being injured in the forest? I looked around again still hoping to see him, but there was no sign of him. Perhaps he had transformed into a human and left while I was asleep. But if that was the case, why had he left his badge behind? Was it an intentional act or did it drop from him without him noticing? I slipped the badge into the pocket of my dress. Although I didn’t know who he was, something told me he was more than I thought he was. With one final glance at the spot where he had been lying, I picked up my backpack and continued my journey. The morning sun had already risen above the trees, casting golden rays across the forest. I walked for hours. My legs began to ache, and the soles of my feet hurt with every step. I had barely slept, and my stomach was beginning to growl. I stopped several times, gulping water to quench my thirst. Bu
Arianna’s POVFor some minutes, I just stood frozen at a spot, thinking about the near-death experience I had just had.If not for the ring, was that how I would have died?I found a spot to sit, resting against a tree. I opened my backpack and pulled out a bottle of water, taking a gulp.I was still trying to calm my racing heart when my mind went back to the ring.I lifted my hand and stared at it. It had stopped glowing.It now looked like an ordinary silver ring again, as though nothing had happened.“What exactly are you?” I whispered.Of course, I got no answer because I wasn’t expecting an object to give me one. I sighed and rested my hand on my lap. I couldn't stay here forever.I still had to get to safety, and the only thing I could do was keep moving.After resting for a while, I got back on my feet and continued walking. The forest seemed even quieter now.Every few steps, I glanced around, expecting another beast to jump out at me. But nothing happened.“Maybe the ring
Arianna’s POVI stared into the darkness before me. And for a moment, I didn't know what to do.Going back was impossible.The carriage was already long gone, and even if I tried to follow its tracks, I had no idea how far it had travelled before leaving me here. The only thing I could do was move forward.I looked down at the compass in my hand, the needle pointing toward the direction I needed to go.Right through the forest. I took a deep breath and tightened my grip around the compass.“You can do this, Arianna,” I whispered through a shaky breath. I adjusted the straps of my backpack and forced my feet to move. Each step I took was heavier than the last. Soon afterward, darkness dominated the sky. The forest was much darker than I had expected.There were no lamps to guide my steps. I looked up at the sky and thankfully, the moon was bright enough for me to see where I was going. There were no lively sounds. Just the occasional rustling of leaves and the sound of my own foot
Arianna’s POVAs soon as I entered the carriage and sat down, the driver pulled away from the palace.I remained silent, my gaze fixed on the window as the walls of Valtheris slowly disappeared behind me.The familiar towers of the kingdom became smaller and smaller until they were totally out of sight. I took a shaky breath when the realization fully dawned on me. I was all alone now. There was no Cassian to save me. I had left, and there was no turning back now.I rested my head against the carriage window, watching the scenery outside change as we travelled farther away from the kingdom.But despite the beautiful landscape passing before my eyes, my mind remained stuck on the conversation I had with Cassian before I left.“You are not going to give them what they want.”What exactly had he meant by that?Was he talking about the sacrifice? Had he known all along that Dravaryn didn't simply want peace?Had he known that the council and his parents had chosen me as the price for th
Arianna’s POV “Crown Princess, it’s time for us to leave,” one of the guards’ voices rang out from outside my chamber. The moment I heard that, my body stiffened. I gripped tightly onto the hem of my dress, trying to conceal my nervousness. I knew that moment was coming. As a matter of fact, I had already been dressed for my journey. But hearing the guard’s words reminded me of the danger I was putting myself into. I wouldn't lie. At that moment, I wanted to back out. But too many things were on the line for me to do so. Whether I liked it or not, I needed to do it. Cassian, who had refused to leave my side since earlier that day, was also in the room with me. He leaned against the door, his arms folded across his chest. He seemed to have noticed how tense I was. “Arianna,” he called, walking toward me. I raised my gaze to look at him. When he was just an inch away from me, he crouched before me and held my hands in his. His eyes searched mine desperately as though he was look







