'Forgive me, my son,' Maelor thought as he made his decision. 'For not being the father you deserve. For loving you in shadows rather than sunlight. I'm going to give you a gift you'll never know came from me.'
But he would do it nonetheless. Because even kings couldn't always control their hearts, and Maelor's heart had broken the day he'd first heard his infant son cry and known he could never publicly claim him.
Three days later, Maelor rode into the ancient forest alone.
The excuse was hunting, a royal expedition to clear his mind and enjoy the bounty of nature. His guards remained at the forest's edge, forbidden to follow beyond the boundary markers where old magic still held sway.
