Chapter 43
The carriage slowed.
Not enough to stop.
Just enough to feel wrong.
Lyria noticed it first.
"…Did you feel that?" she asked quietly.
Kael didn't answer immediately.
But his arm around her—
Tightened.
"Yes."
She looked up at him. "It's not the road."
"No."
"Then what is it?"
Kael's gaze shifted slightly toward the window.
"Silence."
She frowned. "It's always quiet out here."
"No," he said. "Not like this."
Lyria listened.
And then she realized—
He was right.
No wind.
No movement.
No distant voices.
Even the guards outside had gone quiet.
"…That's unsettling," she admitted.
"Yes."
She shifted slightly. "Should we stop?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because whatever caused this," he said calmly, "is still here."
Her heartbeat picked up.
"…You're not even a little concerned?"
"I am."
"You don't sound like it."
"I do not react to concern."
"That's not normal."
"It is efficient."
She stared at him. "You're unbelievable."
"And you are still here."
"…I'm starting to think that's a mistake."
"It is not."
She exhaled softly, shaking her head.
"…You're very calm for someone who just said something is wrong."
Kael didn't look away from the window.
"I prefer to understand before reacting."
"And if you can't?"
"Then I eliminate the uncertainty."
"That sounds worse."
"It is."
Lyria swallowed.
"…Kael."
"Yes."
"If something happens—"
"It won't reach you."
She blinked. "You didn't even let me finish."
"I know what you were going to say."
"…Do you?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"No."
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
"No, it's not."
"It is the only one that matters."
She frowned slightly. "You don't even consider—"
"I have."
"And?"
"It ends the same way."
"How?"
Kael finally looked back at her.
Cold.
Certain.
"You stay behind me."
That—
Was not a suggestion.
Lyria held his gaze for a moment.
"…You really think something is going to happen."
"Yes."
Her voice lowered slightly. "…What kind of something?"
Before he could answer—
A sound cut through the silence.
Low.
Distant.
A howl.
Lyria froze.
"…Kael."
"I heard it."
"That's not—"
"Normal," he finished.
Another howl followed.
Closer.
Her fingers tightened against his sleeve. "That's not just one."
"No."
The carriage slowed further.
Now the guards outside were moving.
Voices.
Low.
Urgent.
"What's happening?" Lyria asked.
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he shifted slightly—
Positioning himself between her and the door.
"Stay here."
"I'm not a child."
"No," he said calmly. "You are not."
"Then don't tell me to—"
"Stay here."
This time—
His tone didn't change.
But something in it did.
Firm.
Final.
Lyria exhaled slowly. "…Fine."
Kael opened the carriage door slightly.
A guard approached immediately.
"Your Highness… we're detecting movement in the forest."
"How many?" Kael asked.
"Unknown."
Another howl echoed.
Closer.
Much closer.
Lyria's voice dropped behind him. "That's too close."
Kael's gaze darkened slightly.
"Yes."
"What is it?" she asked again.
This time—
He answered.
"…Werewolves."
Silence.
Lyria stared at him. "…No."
"Yes."
"They don't come this close to the capital."
"They don't."
"Then why are they here?"
Kael didn't respond.
Which—
Was worse.
"…Kael."
"Yes."
"…This isn't normal."
"No."
"Then something is wrong."
"I am aware."
Another sound.
Not a howl this time.
Movement.
In the trees.
Fast.
Watching.
Waiting.
Lyria stepped closer behind him without realizing it.
"Why does it feel like they're watching us?" she whispered.
"Because they are."
Her breath caught.
"…How many?"
Kael's eyes scanned the forest line.
"More than we can see."
"That's not reassuring."
"It is not meant to be."
She grabbed lightly onto his sleeve.
"Kael…"
"Yes."
"…Are we safe?"
He didn't turn to look at her.
Didn't soften.
Didn't hesitate.
"No."
Her grip tightened.
"But you will be."
That—
Was different.
"How can you be so sure?" she asked.
Kael stepped fully out of the carriage now—but his hand reached back.
Finding hers instantly.
Holding it.
Firm.
Grounding.
"Because," he said quietly, "I am here."
Another howl echoed—
Sharp.
Louder.
Closer than before.
The guards shifted into formation.
Weapons drawn.
The air changed completely.
No longer quiet.
No longer calm.
Lyria stepped down beside him, her hand still in his.
"…Kael."
"Yes."
"…Something is coming."
His gaze fixed on the darkness ahead.
"I know."
A shadow moved between the trees.
Fast.
Too fast.
Then another.
And another.
Lyria's breath caught.
"…Kael."
This time—
His voice dropped.
Cold.
Controlled.
Deadly.
"Stay behind me."
And just like that—
Everything changed.