They sprinted until the lights of the palace were no longer glowing behind them, hushing as they were enveloped in the jungle's silence.
Only the silver moon was their companion. She was covered with glittering glances over the scattered swaying treetops, casting her spell with lumbering branches whispering like protectors toward homecoming.
Aren had finally slowed to a panting stop after that exertion, now bent over with hands on his knees, head turned up to Amira, smugly grinning to himself.
"Well...that was romantic. A walk through the palace under moonlight followed by a dive into the flower beds.
You surely know how to make a guy have a great time," he said.
Amira roller due to anger, hit him on the shoulder. She now realized the forest was a sanctuary for her, bringing relief and a little hidden warmth which she always tried to conceal.
"You idiot," she murmured softly enough that her tone became almost warm hearted with concern, "You could have...."
''But I didn't....'' Aren interrupted, standing straight. ''And now I expect from you.... hm ... at least ten dinners and one jungle dance to start with.''
She rolled her eyes at him but laughed.
And now they entered deeper into the forest, muffling their footsteps.
Each rustle and distant howl reminded them that they weren't truly alone, but here, at least, the trees felt safer than the walls of the palace.
Next, they came across a narrow stream .
First, Amira sank down to her knees and scooped the water into her cupped palms to drink quite a bit then dip her face in it to remove the palace perfume and fear.
Aren turned to watch her for a moment with his usual jokes caught behind his teeth, but he finally joined her, scooping water into his mouth, then sprinkling a handful over her head.
She gasped as she turned her head toward him. "You.."
Before she could finish he darted off into the trees, laughing.
The next hour was fruit-gathering, tiny orange globes sharp sweet tastes; wild nuts cracked there among stones; honey dripped to places by the net of a broken hive that Aren nearly sat on, accidentally.
"Hey! Next time you can do the honey work!" he protested, wiping his stick fingers on the cloak.
Amira had a soft laugh. "You would have been stung to death if I hadn't told you to smoke the hive first."
"Details, details," Aren muttered, but his smile remained unpeeled.
They climbed up into a thick, low tree, whose branches absorbed a majority of their weight so that their bellies felt full of that jungle song now sung low in their ears, with each rhythmic sound swelling towards forgetfulness.
From here, they could make out here the far-off dark line of Zhora's walls, small and helpless against the sea of green.
With knees drawn to her breast, Amira gazed into the stars above. "The entire kingdom must be breathing right down our necks now."
Aren looked her way, his expression rigorously solemn. "They are. But they'll have to get through with me first."
It had been a fairly immediate, sharp look at her, catching the drift of something rather like a joke.
But all there was was that fierce devotion light that had dragged her from the ballroom.
Caught for a beat of silence. Then she reached out, just for a heartbeat, to press her forehead against his.
"You're impossible," she murmured.
The grin returned to Aren, soft but unstoppable. "And yet you are still here."
Through a clear, cool, wet night proceeded. Somewhere nearby there was a monkey which shrieked and then became quiet.
In the distance, a deep roar reminded them that other dangers were still waiting.
Not that they moved, though.
Tomorrow after dawn will take them searching for the Core of Muri Khan, the ultimate relic that would turn all their running into a triumph.
Amira brought out a piece of an ancient rune-inscribed hidden in her belt and traced it softly with her fingers, its symbols catching the moonlight.
"We are close," she murmured almost to herself.
Aren leaned over her shoulder in an attempt to read. "Close to what? Another swarm of bugs? Or more angry monkeys?"
She nudged him again. "To the core. The ancient texts say the real clues are hidden in the heart of the jungle. And now...we have a map no prince can understand."
Aren's eyes lit, mischief and excitement battling in his mind. "Then starting tomorrow...we shall begin another chapter."
She nodded.
He threw a brief glance in her direction and reclined on the sturdy branch. "But tonight...we sleep under the stars. No more princes, no guards, no forced fancy clothes."
She sighed against him, her head fitting softly against his shoulder. In an almost whisper, she said, "I could get used to this."
Aren closed his eyes, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah... me too."
Stars twinkled on that night as
though blessing their sacred promise.
Tomorrow danger and secrets awaits. They would dive into the jungles and come closer to the Core of Muri Khan.
Tonight, though, it was just a wild warrior and an archer, tame and brave, secured with each other's laughter and waiting for the next day ahead.