Bound by Shadows

I stared at the map on my desk, tracing the thin, inked lines that marked the border between Eldora and Olinn. How many times had I studied this same map, dreaming up the impossible? Only now, the dream wasn't impossible—it was a plan.

A reckless, foolish plan, maybe. But it was mine.

The knock at the door startled me, and I swept the map into my lap just as Aline stepped inside, a tray of tea and pastries balanced in her hands.

"I figured you hadn't eaten," she said, setting the tray on the small table by the window.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, too quickly.

Her brow furrowed. "Aspin, what's going on?"

"Nothing," I said, a little too brightly.

She didn't buy it. Aline rarely did. Her dark eyes searched mine as she sank into the chair across from me. "You've been restless all day. Don't tell me it's nothing."

I hesitated. Aline was the one person who might understand, but even she wouldn't approve. Not entirely.

"I'm just tired," I lied. "Everything with Olinn, the courtship, the guards... it's exhausting."

Aline snorted. "Exhausting is one word for it. Torin hovering over you like a hawk can't be helping, either."

I smiled faintly. "He's... thorough."

"That's generous of you," she said, grabbing a pastry. "I'd call it infuriating."

I laughed, and for a moment, the tension in my chest eased. But then my eyes drifted to the map hidden under my lap, and the weight returned.

"I should let you rest," Aline said after a while, standing and brushing crumbs from her hands. "But promise me you'll tell me if something's wrong, okay?"

"I promise," I said, though we both knew it wasn't true.

After she left, I pulled the map back onto the desk and smoothed the creases. My plan had always been theoretical, something to entertain my mind on sleepless nights. But tonight, it felt real. Achievable.

My heart pounded as I stuffed the map into my bag, along with a cloak, a simple gown, and a small pouch of coins. Every sound seemed louder than it was—the creak of the floorboards, the rustle of fabric, the latch of my door clicking shut as I slipped into the hallway.

I'd studied Torin's patrol schedule meticulously, memorizing the times and routes he favored. If I timed it right, I could avoid him entirely.

But Torin was unpredictable. And that was a problem.

The sound of boots on stone made my pulse spike. Quickly, I ducked into a shadowed alcove, holding my breath as his broad silhouette passed just feet away.

When the hallway was silent again, I exhaled and pressed on, careful to keep my footsteps light.

Near the outer courtyard, I reached the most dangerous part of the plan: the gate. Torin had an uncanny habit of appearing when I least wanted him to, and I couldn't afford that tonight.

The guards at the gate weren't Torin, but they were just as inconvenient. Thinking quickly, I stepped into view, adjusting my hood to hide most of my face.

"You there," I said, lowering my voice to mimic a court official's stern tone. "Captain Torin requires your assistance near the east tower. Immediately."

The two guards exchanged glances, unsure.

"I don't think—" one began.

"You dare question the captain's orders?" I snapped.

That did it. They muttered apologies and hurried off toward the east tower, leaving the gate momentarily unguarded.

I didn't waste a second. Slipping through the gate, I pulled my hood lower and melted into the night, the cold air biting at my cheeks as I made my way toward the forest path that would lead me to Olinn.

The farther I got from the palace, the lighter I felt. For the first time in weeks, I wasn't just surviving—I was moving. Acting.

But as the gates disappeared behind me, a nagging voice whispered in my mind: What will Torin do when he realizes you're gone? And why do I care?

I shook the thought away and pressed on, my resolve hardening with each step. There was no turning back now.