Given's voice carried a quiet resolve as he stood before the Queen, his light green eyes fixed on her. He knew the risks of dredging up her past—the strain it would place on her mind, the weight it would add to her already burdened heart—but he also knew it was necessary.
"When I first encountered you," Given began, his tone calm and deliberate, "by the forest with Leroy and the others, we camped together. You would tell us stories—stories of your past. The others thought they were fairy tales, no matter how many times you insisted they were real. Even after Leroy and I tried to convince you to keep them to yourself or maybe as tales , you still continued in your own way ."
Elara's gaze shifted to him, curiosity mingling with uncertainty.
"You said Leroy was one of the warriors," Given continued, his voice softening. "You made him your close companion because of how magical and different he was—unlike anyone else. You two grew close, and when you left your home to come here, he followed. He didn't just follow orders; he followed you."
Elara stared at Given, fragments of memories flickering in her mind like shards of light. "Where were we going?" she asked softly, her voice laced with hope and dread
Given hesitated, searching his memories. "I'm not really sure," he admitted, his voice lowering. "But I was running away. We all seemed to be running away. You, though... you looked like you were running toward something."
"The kingdom," a voice interrupted from the doorway.
Both Given and Elara turned to see Leroy standing there, his worn expression softened by a small, fleeting smile. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"We were looking for the right place to build your kingdom," Leroy explained, his tone steady but laced with reverence. "An empire, you called it. To prove someone wrong."
Elara's gaze dropped for a moment before lifting again. "My mother," she said quietly.
Leroy nodded, his eyes steady on hers.
Elara's gaze flickered toward the entrance. "Where is Darius?" she asked, her voice sharp with sudden concern.
Leroy's expression grew more neutral. "He's tending to the horses. He won't be joining us. And he'll be watching over Princess Lyric with the other guards. It seems he's taking his new responsibilities seriously."
Elara bit her lip, holding back a remark. She glanced back at Leroy and Given, where the latter was informing Leroy of all the information they have gathered. She knew she needed Darius here, not just for his tactical mind but because of his unwavering loyalty.
She descended a spiral staircase, her mind racing with fragmented memories and a growing sense of urgency. Darius was an Alpha, a leader, and someone she could rely on—not just for his loyalty but also for his strength. She knew she needed his insight, even if she wasn't entirely ready to face the emotions his presence stirred within her.