THE HEART THAT REMEMBERED

Shadows at the cottage

Liam had expected this.

Just not this soon.

His eyes moved toward the window as the black rain continued to pour from the sky.

How could anyone have made it through the storm?

The rain was not ordinary. It had already swallowed the roads, covered the forest, and made the air itself feel heavy. Anyone foolish enough to travel through it should have been lost long before reaching the cottage.

Yet they were here.

And Liam knew one thing for certain.

If they stayed, they would be sitting ducks.

He turned toward the messenger.

"Go back."

The messenger looked surprised.

"My prince—"

"Tell them nothing. Just go."

"But—"

"Now."

The authority in Liam's voice left no room for argument.

The messenger bowed and hurried away.

Liam immediately turned to Kael.

"Pack only what we need. Food, water, blankets, weapons. Nothing unnecessary."

Kael nodded and began gathering the supplies.

Liam walked over to Alice's bed.

She sat frozen, trying to make sense of everything happening around her.

Liam lowered himself slightly so they were at eye level.

"Alice."

She looked at him.

"We're leaving."

Her voice trembled.

"Leaving where?"

"Somewhere safe."

"But what's happening?"

Liam paused.

"They found us."

Alice's eyes widened.

"But... if I'm really the princess, why would the council want me dead?"

Liam didn't have an answer he could give her.

Not yet.

"Right now, I need you to trust me."

Alice stared at him for a moment before slowly nodding.

Liam stood and walked toward the closet.

He opened it and pulled out a riding outfit.

Alice blinked.

It was perfectly her size.

She looked at him suspiciously.

"How did you know that would fit me?"

Liam glanced at her.

"I didn't."

"Then how—"

"We don't have time."

Alice looked down at the clothes.

Strangely, she didn't complain.

She simply took them and changed.

But before she could ask another question, voices echoed from outside.

Alice froze.

There were people everywhere.

Shouts.

Footsteps.

The unmistakable sound of weapons clashing.

"They're attacking us," she whispered.

Liam's jaw tightened.

Kael entered the room.

"They're closing in."

Liam immediately reached for his sword.

"Get the horses to the back."

Kael nodded and disappeared through the rear of the cottage.

Liam turned toward Alice.

"Stay behind me."

"But—"

"No arguments."

Another loud crash shook the cottage.

Alice flinched.

Liam's eyes moved toward the front door.

Shadows were moving beyond it.

Too many.

He tightened his grip around his sword.

"Now."

He grabbed Alice's hand and hurried her toward the back of the cottage.

The silver wolf was already there.

Silver stood at the doorway, watching the darkness beyond it, his body tense and ready.

Two horses waited behind him.

Kael held the reins.

"Go!" Liam ordered.

Alice climbed onto the horse behind Kael.

But before they could move, she looked back.

Liam was still standing inside the cottage.

Alone.

Her heart dropped.

"Liam!"

He looked at her.

"Go."

"But you're coming with us!"

"Not yet."

"You can't stay here!"

Liam gave her a small, reassuring smile.

"I'll catch up."

Alice shook her head.

"No."

Liam stepped closer.

"I need you to trust me."

She wanted to argue.

She wanted to climb off the horse and refuse to leave him.

But somewhere deep inside, she knew Liam wasn't staying because he wanted to.

He was staying because he was protecting her.

Liam turned toward Karl.

"Karl!"

Karl hurried over.

"Yes, my prince?"

"Take the eastern path. Find the Pixie Queen."

Karl's eyes widened.

"The Pixie Queen?"

"Tell her I sent you. She'll understand."

Karl hesitated.

"But what about you?"

Liam looked toward the approaching shadows.

"I can handle myself."

Karl clearly didn't believe him.

Neither did Alice.

But Karl knew better than to argue.

He mounted his horse and prepared to leave.

"Go," Liam ordered.

Karl reluctantly kicked his horse forward.

Kael followed with Alice.

Alice kept looking back.

Liam stood beneath the darkened sky, sword in hand.

Silver remained beside him.

The silver wolf stared into the darkness as though he could already see what was coming.

Then the first attacker stepped through the doorway.

Liam raised his sword.

"Come."

The battle began.

Alice's chest tightened as the cottage disappeared behind the trees.

She didn't know who these people were.

She didn't know why the council wanted her.

She didn't even know why she had been hidden for eighteen years.

But she knew one thing.

Liam was in danger because of her.

And leaving him behind was the hardest thing she had ever done.