After carefully arranging Zurin's second-in-command's lifeless body on Mona's bed, Nahor cautiously surveyed the area before guiding the two women to the concealed door in the fence. Although they managed to escape, Nahor couldn't risk leaving the gate wide open. He quickly snapped a twig from a nearby shrub and wedged it into the gap between the gate and the frame to secure their exit.
He guided the two women to the northern section of the castle, where the concealed passageway leading to the canal awaited. After navigating a narrow corridor and descending a steep ladder, they would finally arrive at the spot where the boat was awaiting them.
Mona stumbled, her foot catching on an unseen obstacle, a loosened rock protruding from the ground. Despite Nahor's quick reaction, he couldn't stop her from tumbling to the ground. Just as it seemed they would crash onto the unforgiving earth, Lira's hands stretched out and managed to catch the mother and son duo.
It startled little Nayou, and he cried. His cries echoed through the narrow passageways.
Mona panicked and hastily covered his mouth.
"Nayou, don't make a sound, or the bad people will catch us. We will go find your Father."
Nayou understood, and he became silent.
As Nayou settled down, Nahor's ears perked up at the sound of approaching footsteps in the distance. The faint but steadily approaching footsteps indicated that many people were coming their way.
"Let's hurry. We are running out of time."
Nahor gently lifted little Nayou from Mona's arms, placed him on his shoulder, and instructed him to hold on tightly.
As he cradled his sleeping niece with one arm, he carefully navigated his way down the ladder, using his free hand for support. Zander lay peacefully asleep, and he suspected that his sister had done something to ensure he wouldn't be disturbed, no matter what happened.
Mona followed closely while Lira trailed behind.
Nahor could hear footsteps growing louder and closer. He estimated that over twenty guards were approaching.
Lira decided to stop her descent on the ladder and started ascending instead.
"Brother, promise me. Take Zander out of Astralis." Lira removed her necklace and threw it to him. "Use that to open the portal."
"Lira, what are you doing? Come down here," Nahor lowered his voice and spoke urgently to his sister. He was trying to conceal his anxiety. If he shouted, he might give away their location.
Lira's voice trembled as she spoke, "Brother, you risk your life coming over here. It will be in vain if they catch us. Take Mona, Nayou, and Zander with you."
Mona had already boarded the small wooden boat and was reaching out to take Nayou, but Nahor remained motionless, standing at the water's edge, paralyzed by indecision.
Lira sensed the flicker of uncertainty in her brother's gaze. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and propelled Nahor into the waiting boat with a determined motion of her hands.
"Brother, Zander is my life. If he dies, I will die, too. Take him out of Astralis. He is not safe here. When Mayari is asleep tonight, you should be able to open the portal with the necklace."
Nahor was still in a daze. He had come specifically for his sister, not for his niece. He looked at the little boy in his arms and then at his sister, who was standing on the ledge near the ladder. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
"Don't worry about me, Brother. Remember, I am a powerful Hara. When the time comes, we will reunite. Please keep my son safe and be safe as well."
Lira closed her eyes and concentrated. Her hands moved gracefully, and the water from the canal rushed forward, pushing the boat with the four people in it.
"Farewell, brother. Farewell, my little boy, " Lira whispered into the air, her voice carrying the weight of her sorrow. With the last vestiges of her energy, she propelled the boat forward, determined to create a safe distance between the escaping boat and the castle.
Drained of strength, Lira slumped onto the unforgiving, hard ground.
Leoric, who was watching, reached out to help the woman up, but he could not move.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The sound of footsteps grew louder, their sharp, repetitive clicking echoing through the narrow passageways, causing Lira's forehead to furrow in concern.
Even Leoric, a spectator, felt his heart beat louder in synch with the footsteps.
Lira fought to rise to her feet, her muscles aching with every movement. With great effort, she unfastened the bag from her shoulders and held it close to her chest.
A guard, holding a torch, yelled, "It's Hara Lira!"
Lira shifted her gaze, her eyes narrowing as she observed the approaching group of twenty guards. Zurin's second wife was leading the group.
"Where do you think are you going, Lira? Do you think you can escape? Over my dead body!" Tanya has an evil glint on her black orbs.
Lira's gaze fell upon the dozen boats moored on the far side of the canal. These vessels stood ready, their purpose clear - to provide a means of swift escape for the King in times of need.
"Kill her!" Tanya gave the command.
The guards did not hesitate and drew their swords.
Without hesitation, she leaped into the dark and murky water before they could reach her.
"What are you waiting for? Follow her and kill her!" Tanya was enraged. How dare she try to escape right under her nose?
The guard's leader paused, carefully considering his words before speaking. "Your Highness," he began, "it is impossible for anyone to remain submerged underwater for an extended period. The water's current is quite weak in this area. If we give it about ten minutes, it is almost certain that the Hara will not survive."
"Are you an idiot? She is a Hara and a powerful one?" Tanya glared at the head guard.
In an attempt to avoid upsetting the new Queen, the head guard instructed ten of his men to dive into the dark and murky water in search of Hara Lira and her son. Despite knowing it was a risky decision, he couldn't afford to risk offending the Queen. What would they find in the depths of the water, with even the crescent moon fading from the night sky?
Leoric willed himself to plunge into the water, and finally, his body followed his mind. When he sunk into the cold water, he found himself locking gazes with a mesmerizing pair of obsidian eyes that mirrored his own.