ECLIPSED

CHAPTER 25

Lea was roused from her slumber by the persistent knocking on her door. Groaning, she pulled a shawl over her shoulders and dragged herself to the door, barely awake. When she opened it, she found Theron standing there, his arms crossed.

The moment her disheveled form appeared, Theron quickly averted his gaze.
"At least dress appropriately," he muttered, his voice rough with embarrassment.

Lea glanced down at herself, bare feet, a loose tunic, and the shawl messily draped over her. She shrugged nonchalantly. "This is appropriate enough."

Theron exhaled sharply through his nose, clearly frustrated but choosing not to argue. "Faelar instructed me to take you to town. He also told me to give you this." He handed her a folded letter, sealed with Faelar's signature.

Lea broke the seal, reading the brief but thoughtful note:
'Lea, I've arranged for you to go into town today. Feel free to buy anything you like before you leave for Myranis. Consider it a gift.'

A soft smile spread across Lea's lips, a rare moment of kindness in a world where she had been treated more like a burden than a guest. For once, she felt a small glimmer of warmth.

Theron shifted impatiently beside her. "Are you going to get ready, or should I just stand here all day?"

Lea shot him a playful grin. "Fine, fine. Give me a moment to 'dress appropriately.' She winked before disappearing inside.

When Lea reappeared, Theron froze. She had chosen a modest but elegant outfit: a dark green dress that highlighted her figure and boots sturdy enough for walking. Her hair was neatly braided.

Theron coughed awkwardly, trying to look anywhere but at her. "Let's go. Where do you want to start?"

Lea smiled brightly. "Show me the best food in town."

Theron, flushing slightly, turned away to hide his expression. "Fine. But don't expect me to carry anything," he grumbled.

As they left the estate, another pair of eyes followed them closely. From the upper balcony, Azrath leaned against the railing, arms folded, his cold gaze fixed on the two figures disappearing into town. His jaw tightened. He did not like the way Theron walked so closely beside her.

From behind him, Faelar entered quietly, catching the direction of Azrath's gaze.
"Do you plan to follow them, Master?" Faelar asked

Azrath scoffed, straightening. "Why would I?" he replied curtly, before turning back to his desk to continue his work. But even as he resumed his task, he found it hard to push away the nagging thought

The bustling streets of the elven town were lively with market stalls, vendors, and passersby. Lea wandered from stall to stall, her heart light for the first time in what felt like forever. She smiled and chatted with merchants as if she were a local, and to her surprise, they welcomed her warmly. Her disguise as an elf gave her an unusual sense of freedom, though the odd sensation of her altered ears and golden eyes still made her uneasy. She touched her ears absently, trying to adjust to the strange change.

At one stall, she stopped to admire a bouquet of radiant flowers, soft petals in vibrant shades of violet and amber. They smelled sweet and fresh, and for a brief moment, Lea allowed herself to forget her worries. She inhaled the delicate fragrance and smiled.

Theron watched from a distance, arms crossed as he leaned lazily against a post. It amazed him how easily she fit in, even though she didn't belong here. But when she drifted too far from his sight, he straightened.

"I'll never understand what you find interesting in all these stalls," Theron muttered as he approached her.

Lea ignored his grumbling and continued on, until she spotted a library tucked between two larger buildings. Her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Let's go in," Lea said, pulling him toward the entrance.

Theron groaned. "A library? Really? You know we don't have all day."

"I won't be long," she promised.

Theron narrowed his eyes but relented. "Fine. But I'm not going in." He pulled a thin, metal bracelet from his pocket and slipped it onto her wrist. "This will let me know if you're in danger. Just stay where I can find you, all right?"

Lea glanced at the bracelet, feeling its cool weight against her skin. "Thank you."

He gave a small nod, then leaned casually by the entrance. "Don't take too long."

The public library was vast, its towering shelves filled with ancient books and scrolls. The soft scent of parchment and ink hung in the air, and the dim lighting gave the space a cozy, timeless atmosphere.

Lea quickly made her way to the section on myths, theories, and history, her mind racing with possibilities. If there was any way to return home, perhaps she could find a clue hidden within these old texts. She ran her fingers along the spines, pulling out volumes that caught her eye.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she immersed herself in the ancient writings. Some books detailed tales of portals and magic gates, others spoke of ancient alliances between humans and elves, long before the current tensions. But so far, none of them provided the answers she sought.

Her heart sank slightly as she realized that finding a way back to her world would not be as easy as she had hoped. But she wasn't ready to give up just yet. There had to be something, somewhere, that could help her.

As Lea lost herself in her search, Theron waited outside, scanning the streets for any signs of trouble. His hand rested on the hilt of his dagger, though his expression remained relaxed.

What neither Lea nor Theron knew, however, was that eyes had been watching them closely from the shadows