Dorian watched as they exited into the cold night. But before he could finish his drink, another hooded figure slid into the seat across from him.

  Elias followed the woman—Selene Varis, as she had introduced herself—through the winding streets.

  There was something about her that unsettled him. She moved with a quiet, calculated confidence, the way a predator might—controlled, patient, always aware of her surroundings. The dim lantern light flickered across her features, revealing sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes that seemed to absorb everything, and a mouth set in a firm, unreadable line. Her long midnight-black hair was pulled back, strands escaping to frame her face, giving her a look of effortless precision.

  She wore a deep, hooded cloak, but even that couldn’t conceal the armor beneath—a sleek, dark ensemble, crafted for both agility and protection. Twin daggers rested at her hips, and Elias had no doubt she could draw them faster than he could blink.

  The deeper they went, the quieter the city became. The distant hum of conversation, the occasional clatter of hooves on cobblestone, all faded into an eerie stillness. The streets narrowed, the flickering lanterns growing sparse.

  Elias hesitated. “Where exactly are we going?”

  Selene didn’t look back. “Someplace safe.”

  They reached the end of a deserted alley, enclosed by a solid stone wall.

  Elias frowned. “Dead end.”

  Without a word, Selene crouched, fingers hooking beneath a rusted manhole cover. With little effort, she lifted it aside, revealing a dark tunnel below.

  A damp, putrid scent wafted up, and Elias instinctively recoiled.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered.

  Selene arched an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. “Still want answers?”

  Elias hesitated—then exhaled sharply. “Fine.”

  Bracing himself, he climbed down into the darkness.

  Selene followed, sealing the entrance behind them with practiced ease.

  A single lantern flickered in the underground passage, casting long, shifting shadows along the damp stone walls. But this wasn’t just a sewer—it was something older.

  The walls were etched with symbols, faintly glowing, their meaning unknown. The air was thick, heavy with the weight of something long forgotten.

  Selene moved with purpose, her steps silent, as if she had walked these tunnels a thousand times before.

  Elias trailed behind, trying to keep his footing on the uneven ground. “You’ve done this before.”

  She glanced at him. “Obviously.”

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  Then, without warning, she stopped.

  She ran her fingers over a nearly invisible groove in the stone.

  A deep rumbling echoed through the tunnel as a hidden door slid open, revealing a passage beyond.

  She turned to Elias, her gaze unwavering. In the dim light, her eyes reflected something sharp, something dangerous—not just a fighter, but someone who had lived through things she would never speak of.

  “Welcome to the underground.”

  And with that, they disappeared inside, leaving the world above behind.

  “So where exactly are we going?” Elias asked, following Selene Varis into the secret doorway.

  Beyond the entrance, the passage was pitch black, the only source of light a faint glow in the distance. The air was still, thick with an unfamiliar energy that made his skin prickle.

  “To my planet,” Selene answered, her voice calm but firm. “It should be safe… for now.”

  They walked in silence until the passage opened into a chamber bathed in dim blue light. At its center stood a shimmering membrane, pulsing gently like the surface of a restless sea. Selene stepped forward and placed her hand against it, the energy responding instantly. The membrane split apart, forming a door of swirling darkness. Without hesitation, she stepped through.

  Elias swallowed hard. He had done this before, yet the sensation of stepping into pure void still made his stomach churn. He took a breath and followed.

  Hours later, they arrived at a colossal black gate, its towering frame adorned with intricate silver markings. Elias barely had time to take in the massive structure before a group of armored guards stepped forward, blocking their path.

  One of them, a burly warrior with a steel-forged lance, fixed them with a sharp gaze. “What business do you have here?” Before Elias could respond, Selene lifted her hood. The effect was immediate.

  The guards’ expressions shifted from suspicion to shock, and in an instant, they fell to their knees.

  “Forgive us, Your Highness,” the guard said, his voice hurried and reverent. “We did not recognize you.”

  Without another word, the heavy gates creaked open, revealing the path beyond.

  Elias turned to Selene, stunned. Princess?

  But before he could ask, she was already moving forward.

  They walked along a stone pathway, winding through immaculate gardens and towering statues. In the distance, a vast castle loomed, its spires piercing the sky. The entire city glowed under a violet-tinged twilight, the buildings carved from blackstone and crystal, a beauty Elias had never imagined.

  As they neared the castle’s entrance, an elderly man dressed in rich crimson robes hurried toward them. His deep-set eyes, full of both wisdom and warmth, landed on Selene first.

  “Welcome home, Princess,” he said, his voice filled with relief. “The King and Queen have been worried about you.”

  Elias watched as a regal-looking couple emerged from the castle’s great hall. The Queen, a striking woman with flowing silver hair, rushed forward the moment she saw Selene.

  “Selene, oh dear,” she said, pulling her into an embrace. “How many times have I asked you not to disappear for so long?” Selene pulled back slightly, exhaling. “Mother, I can take care of myself. I’m not a child anymore.”

  The King, a man of commanding presence, watched the exchange in silence. His piercing gaze shifted to Elias. “Is he Aldric’s son?” he asked. Elias straightened under the scrutiny. “Yeah. I’m his son.”

  The King gave a slow nod. “We are honored to have you as our guest.”

  The Queen smiled. “Selene, why don’t you show him to the guest chambers? He must be exhausted.” Selene sighed but nodded. “Come on,” she said to Elias, motioning for him to follow.

  The guest chamber was beyond anything Elias had ever seen.

  The walls were lined with ornate gold carvings, the floors layered in lush crimson rugs that felt like clouds beneath his boots. A massive canopy bed, draped in silken sheets, sat at the center of the room, flanked by towering bookshelves and crystal chandeliers that pulsed with soft light.

  Elias let out a low whistle. “This is… a lot.” Selene smirked. “Get some rest. We’ll talk later.”

  Elias nodded as she left the room, closing the door behind her. He let out a deep breath, running a hand through his hair.

  A princess. A kingdom. His father’s name spoken in royal halls. It was too much to process. After a few minutes of aimless wandering, fiddling with various decorative artifacts, exhaustion finally caught up to him.

  He collapsed onto the bed and, for the first time in days, slept soundly.