The night was deep and silent, the only sounds being the distant rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of crickets.
Anastasia and Valerian finally stopped running.
They had reached an unknown forest, one far from Lupendralis, its towering trees cloaking them in shadows. The air was thick with damp earth, and the scent of wild animals lingered around them.
Valerian’s body gave out.
A sharp gasp escaped his lips as his legs buckled beneath him. If not for Anastasia’s quick reflexes, he would have collapsed entirely. His body trembled, drained of strength. The silver shackles had done their damage—his muscles were still weak, his breathing unsteady.
He couldn’t even stand.
Anastasia gently lowered him to the forest floor, pressing his back against the rough bark of a tree. His norma
