ECLIPSED

CHAPTER 26

The sun barely crested the horizon when Lea and Azrath began their journey toward Myranis. Today was the day their mission to the heart of the human kingdom had begun. The road ahead was paved with uncertainty, but Lea knew there was no turning back.

Their small party rode in relative silence, the tension thick enough to cut. Azrath's men those same warriors who had accompanied them to the elven border on their first journey rode alongside them, grim-faced and vigilant. Lea recognized the quiet strength in their demeanor, and though they were not friendly, she felt a strange comfort in their presence. They were trusted men, and they had survived the ambush together.

The landscape began to shift as they crossed the border into human territory. The crisp forest air seemed to change subtly, carrying a different weight with it. The light dimmed ever so slightly, and the smell of pine and earth was replaced with something foreign something Lea couldn't quite place.

They rode deeper into this unfamiliar land until Azrath signaled for his men to stop. Lea pulled her horse to a halt as well, glancing nervously at him.

"We're not going straight to the city walls," Azrath said curtly. "There's something we need to do first."

Without another word, he veered off to a small side path that led away from the main road, motioning for Lea to follow. His men remained behind, setting up a small perimeter. Lea's heart began to race, but she nudged her horse forward, following him down the path until they reached a quiet, secluded lake.

The waters shimmered beneath the morning light, the surface like glass, reflecting the sky and trees in perfect stillness. Azrath dismounted first, silent as always. Lea hesitated for a moment but then followed, her boots crunching softly against the leaves as she dismounted.

When she turned, Azrath was already approaching her. His expression was unreadable, a mask she couldn't pierce, and for a moment, she felt uncertain. He stopped before her and extended a hand. Lea's breath caught in her throat. Slowly, almost cautiously, she placed her hand in his.

Azrath's touch was steady, firm, and surprisingly warm. Before she could question his intentions, he pulled a ring from his pocket.

Lea's heart thudded in her chest as she stared at it. It was beautiful a golden band, polished to perfection, with intricate patterns etched along the edges. The design bore Azrath's sigil, a mark of his house. The gemstone at its center sparkled like an emerald, though it seemed to shimmer with a deeper brilliance than any stone she had seen before. It glimmered with hints of light and shadow, a stone far more ancient than she could comprehend.

For a moment, emotion swelled within her. It was unexpected and overwhelming, and she fought the urge to let it show. This wasn't just a piece of jewelry it was a symbol, a promise, a commitment. Her throat tightened.

Before she could say anything, Azrath spoke in a low, steady voice.

"With this ring," he said softly, "I swear to protect you from this moment on. We may be bound by circumstance, but from now on, we are allies. In Myranis and beyond, you have my word."

His gaze didn't waver, steady and unwavering as the lake before them. There was no trace of mockery or doubt only sincerity.

Lea stared into his eyes, her emotions swirling beneath the surface. There was a weight to his words she couldn't ignore, a depth she hadn't expected from him. She swallowed hard, trying to find the right words, but everything felt inadequate.

Instead, she smiled softly and squeezed his hand. "I promise to be loyal to you, Azrath," she whispered. "Whatever happens in Myranis... I'll stand by your side. I'll protect you too and please my lord call me lea"

" lea" as Azrath speaks her name for the first time

For a fleeting moment, their hands remained joined, the cool metal of the ring pressing against her skin. Their connection was wordless yet profound, a shared understanding of the road ahead. Both of them were too afraid to explore the strange, unfamiliar feelings stirring between them but in that moment, it didn't matter.

Azrath's face remained unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes something she couldn't quite place. Trust, perhaps, or the barest hint of hope.

It was enough.

They returned to their horses in silence, and soon their small company resumed its journey toward the walls of Myranis. The tension was palpable as they neared the gates, the looming city rising like a shadow in the distance.

As they approached, Lea's grip on Azrath's hand tightened instinctively. Despite her resolve, the sight of the massive walls and the gathered crowds made her stomach churn with anxiety. The city seemed to buzz with tension, watchful eyes scanning every movement. This was enemy territory.

The guards at the gate stood stiffly, their gazes cold and suspicious as they looked upon the elven group. Murmurs spread through the crowd some whispers curious, others openly hostile.

Lea could feel the weight of their stares pressing down on her, and she leaned slightly closer to Azrath. For the first time since they had met, she sought comfort in his presence.

Azrath glanced down at her, noticing the shift in her demeanor. Without a word, he squeezed her hand in reassurance. It was a subtle gesture, but it was enough to steady her nerves.

Together, they rode through the gates of Myranis, their hands still clasped. The road ahead was uncertain, but for now, they had each other and for the first time