James flexed his wrists, feeling the lingering warmth where the cuffs had rested. The faint glow of the runic bindings was gone, replaced by cold, unmarked metal—a testament to his success. He had broken free, yet the challenge was far from over. If Aria discovered his deception, there would be no second chances. For now, he would play the part of the restrained captive, waiting for the right moment to act.
The forest was alive with the hum of morning. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, dappling the ground with shifting patterns. Aria moved with her usual grace, packing up their makeshift camp. She hadn't noticed his quiet triumph, or if she had, she gave no indication. Her face remained serene but unreadable, as though she were always five steps ahead.
"We're leaving soon," she said without looking at him.
James gave a nonchalant shrug, masking the tension coiled in his chest. "Can't wait to see where you're dragging me off to next."
She shot him a glance, one eyebrow arched. "You'll see soon enough. Try to behave."
Behave. The word grated on him. He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and instead leaned back against the tree, letting his body language convey boredom. Inside, his mind churned. The runes had been a gateway to understanding, a glimpse into the magical framework of this world. If he could harness that knowledge, he might stand a chance against whatever lay ahead.
Aria summoned a transport not long after. It arrived in the form of a sleek, rune-etched carriage drawn by two ethereal beasts—large, stag-like creatures with antlers that shimmered like crystal. The air around them crackled faintly, as though their presence disturbed the natural order.
James feigned indifference as Aria guided him toward the carriage. "Fancy ride," he muttered.
She didn't reply, merely gesturing for him to step inside. The interior was just as ornate as the exterior, lined with smooth, polished wood and cushioned seats. Runes glowed faintly along the edges, humming with latent energy. James's skin prickled at the sensation. The carriage wasn't just for show; it was enchanted, likely for speed and protection.
Aria sat across from him, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp. "We have a long journey ahead. I suggest you rest while you can."
James leaned back, folding his arms. "Sure. I'll just kick back and enjoy the ride."
The carriage lurched forward, the beasts pulling it with a smooth, almost unnatural grace. As the forest blurred past the windows, James's thoughts raced. He needed to use this time wisely, to plan his next move. The cuffs may have been neutralized, but he was still under Aria's watchful eye. Any slip-up could cost him dearly.
Hours passed in tense silence. Aria seemed content to let the quiet stretch, her gaze fixed out the window. James pretended to doze, his head tilted against the carriage wall. In truth, he was studying her reflection in the glass, noting every detail—the way her fingers occasionally brushed the hilt of her dagger, the subtle tension in her shoulders. She wasn't as calm as she appeared.
The carriage slowed as the sun dipped below the horizon. They stopped in a small clearing, where Aria stepped out to stretch and tend to the beasts. James followed, his movements deliberately sluggish to maintain the illusion of captivity. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth.
"We'll camp here for the night," Aria said, her tone brisk. She began unpacking supplies, her actions efficient and practiced.
James sat near the fire she built, watching her out of the corner of his eye. He needed to test the limits of her trust. "So, what's the plan when we get to your kingdom? Toss me in a cell and call it a day?"
She paused, glancing at him with a faint smirk. "You'll find out soon enough."
"Right, because that's reassuring." He poked at the fire with a stick, the embers flaring briefly. "You're awfully vague for someone who seems to have everything figured out."
Her expression didn't waver. "And you're awfully talkative for someone in your position."
James chuckled, leaning back. "Touché."
That night, as Aria slept near the fire, James sat cross-legged a short distance away, his back to a tree. The broken cuffs were hidden beneath his sleeves, their runes inert but still etched into his memory. He closed his eyes, focusing on the patterns he'd studied so intently. The process of unraveling them had been more than just an escape; it had been a lesson in control, in understanding the flow of magic.
He raised his hand, palm upward, and concentrated. A faint wisp of shadow flickered into existence, curling like smoke before dissipating. James's heart raced. The suppression was gone; his magic was returning. But it was weaker than before, like a muscle that hadn't been used in too long.
Patience, he told himself. One step at a time.
For now, his priority was regaining his strength and staying one step ahead of Aria. The journey to the elven kingdom would take days, if that was where they were going, perhaps longer, giving him time to prepare. He didn't know what awaited him there, but he had no intention of being a passive participant in whatever plans Aria had for him.
The next morning, the journey resumed. The carriage moved swiftly, the enchanted beasts covering ground at an impressive pace. James watched the landscape shift from dense forest to rolling hills, the horizon stretching wide and open. Despite the uncertainty of his situation, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. This world was vast, filled with possibilities he had yet to explore.
Aria remained as enigmatic as ever, answering his questions with cryptic remarks or outright silence. James didn't push her; he didn't need to. Her guarded demeanor told him more than her words ever could. She was keeping secrets, and he intended to uncover them.
James felt a growing sense of resolve as the sun set on another day. He wasn't just a captive being transported to an unknown fate. He was Riftborn, whatever that meant, and a Reaper, and he wouldn't let anyone dictate his path. With each passing kilometer, his determination grew stronger.