He’d dismounted from Ember in a daze, hoping only to capture the girl and reverse the bond between them—but once he’d seen her, once he’d had the girl in his sights—
The need to be close to her had sizzled in his blood, and before he knew it, he had abducted her.
Even now, Ryu could feel the bond between them, the magical thread that connected their souls.
The idea that he had acted exactly like the Elves of old, abducting lesser beings…it turned his stomach. This wasn’t like him.
It was all because that cursed, twisted bond between them, he just knew it. Ryu scowled. Perhaps the human was infecting him, her human essence seeping into him and awakening his base desires…
Ryu shook his head, fighting off a shudder. Hehadto find a way to snap the bond that linked them.
All at once, it came to him. His father’s study.
When his father married his human mother, the Twilight Prince had learned all he could about humans, and the kind of bonds they could make with their Elven mates.
Granted, this human wasn’t his mate—the very idea was laughable!—but the idea was bound to be the same.
Perhaps if he consulted the ancient texts, a solution would reveal itself.
But until then, he had to keep the girl hidden. The Twilight Court was no place for a human.
Placing the girl here, amidst his dragon’s dwelling, seemed the safest option for now. The stable was rarely frequented by his courtiers, and the presence of Ember would deter any prying eyes.
As he contemplated the logistics of hiding the human and keeping her nourished, a number of ideas raced through Ryu’s mind.
Bringing her into his household as a servant seemed plausible, but the risks were too great. As the Heir, the Darkwalker Council kept its eyes on him, and any unusual addition to his retinue would attract unwelcome attention.
Uncle Erlan’s words echoed in his mind:Ryu, you are too impulsive. You have to learn to think before you act.
It seemed his impulsiveness had brought him to this juncture, tangled in a web of uncertainty.
Sighing, Ryu turned away, his thoughts still in disarray.
As he made his way to his study, Ryu wished he could write to his Uncle Erlan, and ask him for advice.
But his uncle was far away, in the human kingdom of Drakazov, where he would now stay as the Elven representative to the Council of the Four Kingdoms. And his father was in counsel with the High King. Not that he would have admitted this misstep to his father. But either way, help was far away.
Ryu would have to muddle through this on his own.
He stole through his father’s halls, keeping his steps light and silent. Most of the other Elves were retired for the night, resting in their chambers, even his parents.
Soon, Ryu was standing before the door to his father’s private study. With a deep breath, he pushed open the doors, and strode in.
As he quickly set about gathering the scrolls and books he wanted to read, Ryu recalled the last time he’d entered the study, many years ago.
Ryu had paced restlessly within his father’s private study, the weight of his heritage pressing upon him like an iron shroud.
The room was adorned with shelves of ancient tomes and maps, each holding the knowledge and secrets of their realm.
Among them, Ryu found solace, seeking answers within the faded pages and weathered parchment.
But today, even the wisdom of the ancients seemed distant, unable to quell the storm of self-loathing that raged within him.
His uncle Erlan, his trusted confidant, entered the study, his gentle presence a comforting balm amidst Ryu’s turmoil. Erlan’s half-Elf heritage mirrored his own, creating a bond between them that extended beyond blood.
They were kindred spirits, united by their shared struggles and the constant battle against prejudice.
“Ryu, my boy,” Erlan spoke softly, his voice filled with a mix of compassion and understanding. “What troubles you so deeply?”
