All Chapters of Bound To The Shadowed Heir: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Darius’s weight slumped heavier against my back, his breath hot and ragged against my neck. The horse stumbled beneath us, slowed by the arrow in its flank and the extra burden of three bodies.“Hold on,” I whispered fiercely, one hand gripping the reins while the other reached back to press against his bleeding shoulder. Warm blood soaked through my fingers instantly. “Don’t you dare let go now.”Mother clung behind me, her arms wrapped tight around my waist. “He’s fading fast, Elara. We need to stop and bind that wound or he won’t make it through the night.”The forest path twisted ahead, moonlight barely cutting through the thick canopy. Hooves thundered behind us, closer every second. Ronan’s voice carried on the wind, sharp and mocking. “Run all you want, brother! Father wants you alive… but the girl and her mother? Not so much!”I kicked the horse harder, desperation burning in my chest. Darius’s body shifted dangerously. If he fell now, we’d all go down with him.“Stay with me,

The sound of boots crunching on loose stones grew louder outside the cave mouth. Torches flickered, throwing dancing shadows across the damp rock walls.Darius leaned heavily against the stone beside me, his breathing shallow and uneven. Blood continued to seep through the torn bandage on his shoulder, staining my sleeve where I pressed against him. Mother crouched on my other side, her hand gripping my arm tightly.“Stay quiet,” Darius whispered, I could barely hear his voice. His fingers found mine again in the darkness, squeezing once, a silent promise or a plea, I couldn’t tell.Outside, Ronan’s voice rang clear and mocking. “Come out, little bride. We know you’re in there. Bring my brother too. Father is waiting, and he’s not a patient man.”I held my breath. The cave was narrow, barely deep enough to hide all three of us. One wrong move and they’d see us.A guard’s voice answered Ronan. “Shall we smoke them out, my lord?”“Not yet,” Ronan replied, his tone light but cruel. “Let’

The hunting lodge creaked softly around us, old wood settling in the early morning light. I sat on the edge of the narrow bed, Darius’s hand still loose in mine. His skin burned hot against my palm, the fever refusing to break even after the medicine Garrick had forced down his throat.Mother moved quietly across the room, stirring a fresh pot of herbs over the small hearth. Garrick and the other two loyal guards stood watch at the windows, swords ready. The forest outside looked peaceful now, sunlight filtering through the leaves.Darius stirred, eyes fluttering open. One could tell he had fever by just looking at this eyes, then his eyes found mine, something cleared for a second. “You’re still here.”“I told you I would be.” I squeezed his hand gently. “How do you feel?”“Like I got trampled by horses.” A weak, rough laughter escaped him. “You fought like a wolf back there. Never expected that from the quiet princess they locked away.”I brushed damp hair from his forehead with my

The rope bit deeper into my wrists with every step up the mountain trail. Seraphina rode ahead on her sleek black horse, the lead rope tied to her saddle like I was livestock. Her men flanked me on both sides, their boots crunching on loose stones. My grazed arm throbbed in time with my heartbeat, blood slowly soaking the sleeve of my torn gown.I kept my eyes forward, refusing to look back even though every part of me wanted to. Darius’s voice still rang in my ears, raw, furious, promising he was coming. I clung to that promise like a lifeline.Seraphina glanced down at me, her smile sharp and satisfied. “You’re quieter than I expected, little sister. No begging? No tears? How disappointing.”I lifted my chin, forcing my voice steady despite the pain. “Begging you would only make you happier. I’d rather save my breath.”She laughed, the sound light and cruel. “Brave words for someone walking to her own cage. When we reach the palace, Father will want to see how well you break. And I

The mountain trail narrowed into a steep, rocky path that forced the horses to move single file. Darius’s arm stayed locked around my waist, his body warm and solid behind me despite the fever still lingering in his skin. Every jolt of the horse made his breath hitch, but he never loosened his hold.Seraphina rode ahead of us now, wrists bound tight, her usual elegant posture replaced by stiff anger. She kept glancing back, eyes sharp with hatred.“We won’t make it far,” she called over her shoulder. “Father’s men know these mountains better than you do. You’re only delaying the inevitable.”Garrick, riding in front, didn’t bother answering. Tomas rode at the rear, constantly scanning the trail behind us. Mother rode beside Tomas, her face drawn with exhaustion but her back straight.I leaned back slightly against Darius, careful of his injured shoulder. “How’s the pain?” I asked quietly.“Manageable,” he lied. His voice was rough, but his thumb brushed slow circles on my side, a sma