Torin led the way, guiding his horse up the winding mountain path. With a silent cue, the riders pulled their mounts to a halt, horses snorting clouds into the chilled air.
The men dismounted with practiced ease, boots crunching on frost-hardened earth. Muscles groaned, but none complained.
Torin's gaze swept the horizon, eyes narrowing against the last glare of day. "We'll rest here," he said, his voice quiet but final.
An arrow tore through the clearing, slicing the air with deadly precision.
Torin gasped as it struck his upper arm. Pain flared white-hot. He dropped to one knee, breath hissing through clenched teeth as blood bloomed against his coat.
"Father!" Duke shouted, drawing steel in a flash.
At the edge of the clearing, a young man emerged from behind the trees—no older than twenty, his bow trembling in his hands, face pale with panic.
"I—I didn't know who you were!" he stammered.
Torin's breaths were shallow, but his eyes remained steady, even as pain etched deep lines across his face.
"I was only trying to protect myself," the boy said, stepping back. "Please. I never meant—"
"Hold," Torin murmured, his voice strained. "Take out the arrow."
Duke hesitated, then knelt beside him. He gripped the shaft and pulled. Blood spilled freely. Torin grimaced but didn't cry out.
The boy—Quinn—dropped his bow and rushed forward. "Let me help," he said, slipping an arm around Torin's back to steady him.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I didn't know."
Torin leaned into the support but didn't lower his gaze. "Who are you?"
The young man swallowed. "Quinn."
Silence fell, heavy and charged.
Duke's brow furrowed, the name echoing in memory. "Quinn," he said slowly. "Do you… have a sister?"
Quinn hesitated. His expression shifted—just enough. A softening. A flicker of sorrow. "Yes," he said. "Elara. Elara is her name."
Duke staggered back a step, as if struck. The breath left his lungs in a hollow whisper. "gods," he murmured. "You're from Aethel."
Torin looked between them, something like recognition dawning in his eyes.
"She never stopped talking about you," Duke said, voice thick with emotion.
Quinn's face lightened. "Wow, where is she?"
"We're looking for her," Duke replied. "We've been searching for weeks."
Quinn stared, disbelief flickering in his gaze. "And you?" he asked, turning back to Torin. "Who are you?"
Before Torin could answer, Duke spoke.
"He's the one they fear most, Your father-in-law?"
Torin gave a tired, amused smile. "Right."
Quinn looked between them, confusion still lacing his features. "Wait—father-in-law?"
Duke exhaled, suddenly weary. "Yes. I'm her husband."
The clearing went still.
Quinn let out a shaky laugh. It wasn't disbelief.
"Husband?" he repeated, softer now.
Duke nodded.
---
Hours later, Torin and Duke mounted their horses beneath the pale gold of a setting sun. The woods ahead loomed with secrets, but their path was clear.
"Return with Quinn to the palace," Torin instructed a few soldiers as he tightened the reins. The men nodded, and with a final glance at Quinn, they rode off into the trees.
Quinn watched them disappear, a flicker of conflict in his eyes, then mounted a horse beside one of the guards and turned toward the palace.
---
Deeper in the woods, beneath the dense canopy where light barely touched the earth, Torin and Duke reached the rendezvous point.
Elara was the first to see them. Without hesitation, she ran to Duke. Their bodies collided in a fierce embrace, their lips meeting in a deep, desperate kiss that spoke of sleepless nights and silent prayers.
A groan escaped Torin, and the couple reluctantly pulled apart.
Olivia stepped forward and bowed low. Torin's eyes lingered on her, a subtle nod acknowledging her presence.
"I never thought I'd see you here, in the middle of the woods," Duke said, breathless, a half-smile tugging at his lips. "I figured maybe in one of the villages beyond."
"We're still searching," Elara replied, her voice quiet but resolute.
"For Quinn," Duke finished gently.
Elara turned to him, her eyes sharp with surprise.
"He's on his way to Vanilor," Duke said softly.
She looked from Duke to Torin, who gave a small, solemn nod.
"You mean... you found him?" Elara asked, barely daring to believe.
Duke's smile was the only answer she needed.
Overcome, Elara threw her arms around him in pure joy. "Then let's not waste another moment," she said, laughter bubbling in her voice. "Let's go!"
"I missed you, my queen," Duke whispered against her hair as they began walking.
She glanced up at him, her smile full of warmth. "I missed you more."
Together, with Olivia and Torin close behind, they made their way back to Vanilor, their voices rising in soft conversation, their steps light with hope.