King Rhobart Braveheart stood still as his onyx eyes looked at Ayla with such intensity that it made her question herself why she ever hated him. Despite everything that had happened between them and how she acted and defied him with every breath she took, he came for her when she most needed him. The King was breathing hard, and it seemed that his entire body was shaking. He started running, eating up the distance that separated him from her. Ayla stood and tried to meet him halfway, but her legs gave in, and she fell to her knees in the snow. She dropped the dagger next to her, and she waited for him to come to her so that she could tell him that even if he got angry and shouted at her, she would call him her king because he had earned that right. His eyes never left hers; he didn’t even blink, as if he was scared that she would disappear the moment he closed his eyes. He kneeled in front of her and gently, so gently, he cupped her face. His fingers trembled, and he wi

“But Nixx,” Ayla protested. “Is not here. We looked everywhere.” “We have to find him. He couldn’t have just disappeared into thin air.” “What I know is that the blizzard will be here soon. And we need to be in a safe place when that happens.” Ayla looked around one more time before saying, “Fine. But just so you know, I am not giving up on Nixx. I will keep looking after the blizzard passes.” The King nodded. “There’s a camp about five miles away from here. We will stay there until the blizzard passes.” As they rode to the camp, Ayla told the King about the shadowbeast and Star, how Scar found her, and how he treated her. She told him about how Nixx kept her safe from Scar. The King was silent as Ayla talked. When they stopped in front of the camp, he let out a growl. “That fucking bastard! I will find a way to bring him back, only to send him back to Beliar with my bare hands. Again and again. About the snowcat that attacked that shadowbeast, I am sure it was Kerra. She tracke

Rhobart looked at the trees and then at the sky. “We need to leave. It will take us at least four hours to reach the next camp, and there are only three hours of light left,” he said before getting on top of his horse. Ayla nodded as she glanced at the river for the last time. She had never told Nixx that her father was King Amul, and he had been the first to treat her as if she was... normal and not royalty. He had suspected she was from a rich family, but she always denied it. When she didn’t know how to build a fire or make stew, he did not judge her. With patience, Nixx taught her not only how to make food and start a fire but also how to properly take care of a horse and how to set traps for rabbits. She was grateful for all the things he taught her, and she made a promise to herself that the next time she saw Nixx again, for she truly believed he was still alive, she would let him know how much their friendship meant to her. She made sure that the memories of Nixx were safe i

On the eighth day of traveling, Ayla and Rhobart crossed paths with a traveling merchant. He was heading to the Warrior Clan and other villages with his wagon full of sweets from all seven kingdoms, silks and furs, books, toys, and many other things. Two young men accompanied him. Rhobart made a sign for the merchant to stop. Ayla hadn’t seen a traveling merchant since she was a child. Her mother rarely left the Royal Palace of Myrthana. Traveling merchants would come to the palace at least once a week, and Queen Lavia and Lady Anza often bought expensive clothes or books, and for Ayla, toys or sweets made of marzipan, chocolate, and caramel. Once, when her mother was haggling with the merchant, Ayla went inside his wagon to look at some dresses when she saw an old book on a small table. It told the story of a young woman who ran away from her childhood sweetheart because she thought he was a monster. After hiding from him for many years, they were finally reunited, and Ayla never fo

“Could you repeat that?” she asked. “I was wondering if you wanted me to wash your hair.” “But... but my undergarments!” she protested. “You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I don’t need to look at you to wash your hair.” Her heart throbbed with pain. While he was not married, she was sure he had been with women before. Maybe he bathed with them and kissed and cupped their breasts, as she had seen earlier at the hot springs. Did men enjoy touching women like that? Did he? It was none of her business what he did with women or not. Nor did she care. He was a free man to do as he wished. “I would be grateful if you helped me with my hair,” she finally replied. Rhobart moved behind her and rubbed soap on her hair. His big fingers were gentle, and when he massaged her scalp, it felt so good she closed her eyes and moaned. He stilled for a few moments, and Ayla opened her eyes. “Why did you stop?” He resumed his task. “No reason.” She cl