In a divided kingdom where magic is feared and those who wield it are hunted, Ariana, the daughter of a powerful councilman, lives a life of privilege and duty. But her world unravels when she encounters Kiran, a fugitive with the power to command...
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The peace talks in the West District had dragged on longer than I expected. The representatives were polite enough, but the constant back-and-forth felt like trying to patch a sinking ship with paper. Every time I made progress with one faction, another would raise an objection. By the time the meeting adjourned, my head was pounding, and I was desperate for fresh air.
I stepped outside the makeshift council hall, taking in the crisp evening breeze. The West District was quieter than the bustling center of Solan but still alive with small street vendors and scattered lights that dotted the cobblestone streets. It was a place that felt lived in, though weathered and worn by years of hardship. I adjusted the hem of my coat and started toward the carriage waiting for me at the end of the street.
That’s when I saw it—a small, scruffy dog poking its head out from behind a barrel. Its fur was a patchwork of muddy white and tan, and one of its ears flopped comically to the side. It looked as though it hadn’t eaten in days, its ribs faintly visible beneath the tangle of fur.
The dog caught my gaze and froze, its body tensing like it expected me to yell or chase it off. Instead, I crouched down, holding out my hand.
“Hey there,” I said softly, trying not to spook it. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.”
The dog hesitated, sniffing the air before taking a cautious step forward. Its eyes were wary but curious, a reflection of both fear and hope.
I waited patiently, keeping my hand steady. When it finally crept close enough, its wet nose brushed against my fingers, and I smiled. “See? Not so scary.”
It sniffed me a little more before licking my hand tentatively. My heart melted on the spot.
“Well, aren’t you a brave little thing?” I murmured, gently scratching behind its floppy ear. The dog leaned into the touch, its tail giving a tentative wag.
I glanced back at the carriage, then at the dog. I knew it wasn’t exactly practical to bring a stray back to the estate, but the thought of leaving it here, alone and hungry, wasn’t something I could stomach.
“Looks like you’re coming with me,” I said, scooping it up carefully. It let out a small yip of surprise but didn’t struggle, instead settling against my chest with a weary sigh.
---
By the time I arrived back at the estate, the dog was fast asleep in my arms. I stepped into the hall quietly, not wanting to wake it or alert anyone just yet. Kiran was likely still in our chambers, and I figured I’d introduce her to our new guest there.
When I pushed open the door, Kiran looked up from where she was sitting cross-legged on the bed, a book in her lap. Her expression brightened when she saw me, but that warmth quickly turned to confusion when her eyes landed on the bundle in my arms.
“What... is that?” she asked, setting the book aside and standing.
“It’s a dog,” I said, grinning as I closed the door behind me.
Kiran’s expression shifted immediately—her eyes widening, her mouth parting slightly in what I could only describe as panic. “A... dog?” she echoed, her voice almost a whisper.
“Yes, a dog,” I repeated, my grin faltering slightly. “Have you never seen one before?”
She shook her head, taking a cautious step back as if the tiny, sleeping creature in my arms was a feral beast. “We don’t have dogs in the Umbra,” she said stiffly. “What does it even *do*?”
I blinked at her. “It doesn’t *do* anything, Kiran. It’s just a dog. It’s harmless.”
She eyed it warily, crossing her arms over her chest. “It has teeth.”
“So do you,” I pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
“That’s different,” she muttered, her cheeks tinging pink.
I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound earning me a sharp glare. “Kiran,” I said, stepping closer, “it’s not going to hurt you. Look.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed and gently set the dog on the blanket. It stirred slightly, blinking up at me with sleepy eyes before curling into a ball.
“See? Totally harmless,” I said, gesturing toward it.
Kiran didn’t look convinced. She stayed rooted to her spot, her arms still crossed. “Why is it here?”
“Because I found it in the West District,” I explained. “It was starving, and I couldn’t just leave it there.”
Her eyes softened slightly at that, but her stance remained defensive. “And what are you planning to do with it?”
“Take care of it,” I said simply. “Unless you’d prefer we send it away.”
Kiran hesitated, glancing between me and the dog. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, she muttered, “Fine. But keep it away from me.”
I bit back a smile, realizing that her fear wasn’t really about the dog itself. Kiran was used to being in control, to facing threats she could fight or outwit. But this—a small, unpredictable creature that she couldn’t fully understand—was outside her comfort zone.
“You’re adorable when you’re scared,” I teased, unable to resist.
Her head snapped up, and she glared at me. “I am not scared.”
“Then come pet it,” I challenged, patting the bed beside me.
Kiran looked at the dog, then back at me, her jaw tightening. “I’m fine right here, thanks.”
“Suit yourself,” I said with a shrug, scooping the dog back into my lap. It yawned, its tiny body stretching before settling against me again.
For a while, we sat in silence, the only sound the soft breathing of the dog. I could feel Kiran’s eyes on me, her gaze lingering despite her apparent discomfort.
Finally, she spoke. “What are you going to name it?”
I glanced down at the dog, smiling. “I don’t know yet. Any suggestions?”
She snorted. “You’re asking *me*? I don’t even know what kind of creature it is.”
“It’s a dog,” I reminded her, laughing.
She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue further. Instead, she moved to sit back on the bed, keeping a safe distance from the dog but closer than she’d been before.
As the night wore on, I noticed her glancing at it more often, her curiosity slowly winning out over her apprehension. By the time the dog stirred and let out a soft whimper, she actually leaned forward slightly, her brow furrowing.
“Is it okay?” she asked, her voice softer now.
I smiled, reaching over to scratch behind its ear. “It’s fine. Just dreaming, probably.”
Kiran nodded, her gaze lingering on the dog for a moment longer before shifting back to me. “You’re going to spoil it, aren’t you?”
“Of course,” I said with a grin. “It deserves it.”
Kiran shook her head, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And you love me for it,” I teased.
She didn’t respond right away, but the look she gave me said more than words ever could.
