The night was thick with tension, an uneasy stillness in the air as Aurora slipped away from her group. The dove, ever watchful, was puzzled by Aurora's sudden departure. The young woman had always been resolute, her actions deliberate. Yet tonight, something was different. She moved with an urgency that suggested a hidden purpose, one that the dove could not discern. Instinctively, the dove followed her, its wings carrying it silently through the night sky.
Aurora walked for hours, the moonlight casting long shadows that flickered as she passed. Her steps were quick, her path seemingly without direction, yet there was a determination in her stride. The dove, ever vigilant, kept its distance, circling above as it tried to understand what drove her forward.
Finally, Aurora reached an old stable, its structure worn and weathered by time. Without hesitation, she slipped inside, leaving the door slightly ajar. The dove landed on a nearby branch, its eyes fixed on the entrance. It waited, expecting Aurora to reemerge, but time stretched on, and the door remained closed.
As minutes turned into hours, confusion gave way to concern. The dove could not fathom what was keeping Aurora inside for so long. The stable was dark and quiet, offering no clues. The dove's unease grew, its small heart quickening with a sense of foreboding.
As dawn's first light began to paint the sky with soft hues of pink and gold, the dove remained perched on its branch, a silent witness to the unfolding drama. The old stable, once a mere silhouette against the night, now stood in the clarity of morning. The door creaked open, and Aurora emerged, her face a canvas of exhaustion and relief. In her arms, a delicate bundle swathed in worn fabric stirred gently—a baby.
Aurora's steps were unsteady, each one a struggle against the fatigue that gripped her. The moonlight that had earlier cast long shadows now gave way to the sun's gentle touch. The dove, following from above, could see the toll of the night's labor etched in Aurora's weary expression.
Suddenly, the clatter of hooves broke the serene quiet. A man on horseback, his features a mixture of worry and determination, appeared on the scene. He urged his horse to a halt, the animal snorting with exertion. The man's eyes, not the steely gaze of a soldier but filled with a deep, anxious concern, found Aurora. He leaped down and rushed to her side, his movements swift yet tender.
As Aurora's strength faltered, she crumpled into the man's arms. He caught her with a look of both desperation and relief. The dove observed the scene with an acute sense of empathy. Then out of nowhere an old man with the weathered wagon arrived, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the chaos. With practiced ease, he assisted in transferring Aurora into the wagon, where the man continued to offer words of reassurance.
The wagon's wheels began to turn, rolling towards the town's distant horizon. Aurora's eyes fluttered closed, the baby nestled safely against her. The dove watched as the new dawn illuminated their path, casting long shadows that danced on the ground.
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Secret of the Snow Queen (Fire and Ice Book #1)
FantasyIn a land where power and deception reign supreme, two unlikely heroes find their fates intertwined in a battle against a malevolent force. Kelvin, a daring thief, gets caught in a perilous mission to steal a prized horse, only to discover that his...