Bound by Shadows

Aspin

The silence was suffocating.

My cell had grown colder as the hours dragged on, the stone walls leeching the last remnants of warmth from my skin. The small window high above my head let in only the faintest sliver of moonlight, casting pale streaks across the damp floor.

I'd tried everything to get out—climbing, wedging loose stones, even attempting to kick the iron door. None of it worked.

My stomach growled in protest, but it wasn't just hunger gnawing at me.

Regret was a bitter thing, settling heavily in my chest.

I'd been so sure of myself, so sure this plan would work. But now? Now I was trapped in a cell in Olinn, no closer to fixing anything and farther than ever from home.

I leaned against the wall, my fingers tracing the grooves in the stone.

You really did it this time, Aspin.

The weight of it all pressed down on me, crushing in its enormity. My kingdom was counting on me—on my decisions, my leadership, my survival. But instead of upholding any of that, I was here, caged like a fool.

I closed my eyes, letting my head fall back against the stone.

Memories of Eldora filled my mind—its gleaming spires, the bustling markets, the laughter of children playing in the streets. My people had rebuilt a kingdom from ashes, clawing their way out of the destruction the old world left behind.

We were survivors.

I should've been better.

I clenched my fists, fighting against the wave of guilt threatening to pull me under.

This mission had a purpose. It wasn't just some reckless adventure—I'd come here to protect Eldora, to find a way to stop the attack I overheard.

But what good was a purpose if it led me here?

I huffed out a breath, my frustration spilling over.

And then I heard it—a faint sound, barely more than a whisper.

At first, I thought I was imagining things. The silence in this place was enough to make anyone hallucinate. But then it came again, clearer this time.

"Aspin?"

My heart jumped, and I scrambled to my feet, straining to see out the tiny window. "Kaia?"

"Shh!" Her voice was urgent, and a shadowy figure moved into view, peering into my cell through the bars of the window.

It was her.

Relief washed over me like a wave, and for a moment, I thought I might cry.

"You found me," I whispered, gripping the cold iron bars.

"Of course, I did," Kaia said, her voice low but firm. "You think I was going to let you rot in here?"

I almost laughed, the sound bubbling up despite the weight in my chest. "How did you even—"

"Later," she interrupted. "We don't have time. I've been hearing rumors—people are talking about a princess being held here. I put it together, and... well, here I am."

Her resourcefulness shouldn't have surprised me, but it did.

"Kaia, you shouldn't have—"

"Don't start with that," she said sharply. "You're the one who decided to sneak into Olinn, remember? I'm just cleaning up your mess."

Her words stung, but I couldn't argue. She was right.

I leaned closer to the window, my fingers tightening on the bars. "Do you have a plan?"

"I'm working on it," she said, glancing over her shoulder. "I had to sneak through half the castle just to find this cell block. You're in the furthest corner—they don't want anyone finding you."

"That makes two of us," I muttered, earning a faint chuckle from her.

The sound of footsteps echoed faintly in the distance, and Kaia's head snapped toward the noise.

"Damn it," she whispered.

My heart raced, panic flaring in my chest. "Kaia, you need to go. If they find you—"

"I'm not leaving without—"

Her voice cut off abruptly, and my stomach twisted.

"Kaia?" I whispered urgently.

She didn't answer.

I could hear a scuffle outside, muffled voices and the sound of something—or someone—being dragged away.

"Kaia!" I called louder, my voice breaking.

I pressed myself against the bars, straining to see, but the angle of the window kept everything hidden.

"Kaia!"

The silence that followed was deafening.