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As the first rays of dawn stretched across the sky, casting a soft glow over Evaria, Nelson stood on the battlements, his eyes searching the horizon for any sign of Felicia and Eira.
The silence of the kingdom below him was deafening, broken only by the distant sounds of the wounded being tended to and the soldiers rebuilding the defenses. His heart was heavy, but his resolve had never been stronger.
Felicia. The memory of her charging into battle, sword in hand, still played in his mind like a vivid dream. She had fought with a fierce grace, her eyes blazing with a determination he had never seen before.
For so long, he had underestimated her, thinking she was too delicate, too innocent, too sheltered to truly understand the weight of the crown. But now, he realized that Felicia was more than capable of standing beside him, not as his queen, but as his equal.
But where was she now?
He couldn't shake the unease that gripped him since Lucian's sudden return. The man had disappeared into the shadows as quickly as he had arrived, leaving behind a lingering sense of foreboding.
Lucian had offered his help, but Nelson knew better than to trust him blindly. The man was a snake, always waiting for the right moment to strike.
A rustle of movement caught Nelson's attention, and he turned to see Arion approaching once more, his face grim.
"We've scoured the battlefield and the surrounding areas," Arion reported. "Ryker is gone. His soldiers who remain are either dead or in chains, but Ryker himself… He slipped through our fingers."
Nelson's jaw tightened. He had expected as much. Ryker was too cunning to be captured so easily. But the question that gnawed at him now was where the man had gone—and what his next move would be.
"And Felicia?" Nelson's voice was softer now, laced with concern.
Kael hesitated, his expression darkening. "No word yet, my king. They're still riding south, as far as we know. Scouts are tracking their progress, but it's dangerous territory. Ryker's allies may still be lurking."
Nelson clenched his fists, fighting the urge to mount a horse and ride after her himself. But he knew he couldn't leave the kingdom now, not with Ryker still out there. He had to trust that Felicia and Eira would make it safely to their destination.
The wind picked up, carrying with it the distant sound of a horn—a signal. Nelson's head snapped toward the direction of the sound, his eyes narrowing. It was coming from the northern gates.
"Your Majesty," Arion said, urgency creeping into his voice. "Something's happening."
Without another word, Nelson strode toward the gates, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The soldiers guarding the entrance were already preparing for whatever was coming, their eyes wide with anticipation.
As Nelson reached the gates, they swung open, revealing a lone rider galloping toward them, dust kicking up beneath the horse's hooves.
Nelson's heart leaped into his throat as he recognized the rider—it was one of the scouts he had sent to track Felicia's movements. The man's face was pale, his expression one of pure terror. Something had gone horribly wrong.
The scout barely slowed his horse before leaping to the ground, stumbling toward Nelson with frantic urgency. "My king," the scout gasped, breathless from the ride. "It's… it's Lady Felicia. She's… she's been taken."
The words hit Nelson like a blow to the chest, his heart seizing in his chest. "Taken?" His voice was low, dangerous.
The scout nodded, his hands shaking. "They were ambushed, just beyond the river. Ryker's men—they were waiting. Lady Eira tried to fight them off, but there were too many. They took Lady Felicia… and they're taking her north. Toward Ryker's stronghold."
For a moment, Nelson couldn't speak. His vision blurred with rage, his blood boiling with a fury he had never felt before. Ryker had Felicia. The thought of that monster laying his hands on her made Nelson's stomach turn with a sickening dread.
Arion stepped forward, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. "We'll assemble the men. We can ride out immediately."
But Nelson wasn't listening. His mind was racing, every fiber of his being consumed by a single thought: he had to get Felicia back. He had sworn to protect her, to never let harm come to her, and now she was in the hands of his greatest enemy.
"I'm going after her," Nelson said, his voice cold and deadly. "I don't care what it takes. I will bring her back."
Kael's eyes widened. "Your Majesty, you can't—"
"I can," Nelson snapped, his gaze burning with determination. "And I will."
Without waiting for a response, Nelson turned on his heel and marched toward the stables, his heart pounding in his chest.
Every step felt like a battle between the man he had become—the leader, the king—and the man who would burn the world to the ground to save the woman he loved.
Felicia. He had been blind to his feelings for so long, dismissing the bond they shared as a mere alliance. But now, in this moment of pure terror, he realized that she was everything to him. Losing her would destroy him in ways he couldn't begin to fathom.
He reached the stables, the air thick with the smell of horses and hay. The stablemaster, startled by the sudden appearance of his king, scrambled to prepare Nelson's horse. But Nelson's patience was gone, and he saddled the horse himself, his movements quick and precise.
Arion was at his side again, his face set with grim resolve. "I'm coming with you," the general said, leaving no room for argument.
Nelson didn't argue. He needed Arion, needed all the help he could get. But deep down, he knew that this mission was personal. This wasn't about the kingdom anymore. This was about Felicia.
As Nelson mounted his horse, the sky above him darkened, thick clouds rolling in from the north. It was as if the world itself was warning him of the storm to come. But Nelson didn't care. He would face whatever dangers awaited him—Ryker, his soldiers, the very forces of nature—if it meant bringing Felicia back.
As the gates of the kingdom swung open, Nelson spurred his horse forward, the wind whipping through his hair as he rode into the unknown. Arion and a handful of loyal knights followed close behind, their hooves thundering against the earth.
The road ahead was fraught with danger, the enemy lurking in every shadow. But Nelson's mind was focused on one thing and one thing only: Felicia.
He would find her.
And when he did, Ryker would pay the ultimate price.