Ryden’s POV

My goddess has always been strong. I guess she always had to be.

But now, she has me. She has her family. And I know they would give anything to make sure she’s safe and happy.

So even though I want nothing more than to be there for her through everything, I also know she needs to learn how to open up to others on her own terms.

When she confides in me about her brother and everything she’s seen, I tell her to go to her family. And I’m thankful I did.

I learned about the incident five years ago, how every empire is involved and suddenly, my original assessment didn’t feel so far-fetched. Miri’s adoptive parents may not be as simple as they seemed.

Still, whatever they were, they loved her. So even if she wants to find him, I’ll be there. It only felt right to go with her to No Man’s Land.

But the moment I suggested it, the king shut me down.

He really can’t stand taking any risk once it involves Miri.

I know arguing won’t do any good, so I pretend to agree and start making my way out.

Only for a servant to suddenly announce the arrival of Prince Draven of the Demon Empire.

“What is that bastard doing here?” I mutter to myself, still walking.

But instead of leaving, I hide in a corner and watch it all unfold.

I’m proud of the Shadow family for not letting him touch my Miri. And once I’m certain he’s gone, I step out and follow.

“Prince Draven,” I called once I caught up to him, “to what do we owe this visit to the Shadow Castle?”

He turns to face me. “I came to see my fiancée. How about you? What are you doing here?”

“Well,” I shrug casually, “I’m quite close to the Shadow family. I was invited for a brief chat. Nothing much or serious.”

His jaw tightens.

He doesn’t love her no, I don’t believe he does. But he wants to possess her.

To make her a trophy. A prize.

And then break her down until she revolves around him.

I’ve seen him do it before to three other girls.

That’s exactly why I hate him. And now, after today? I’ve got one more reason.

“Ryden, that’s fine,” he says coldly, stepping closer to me. “As long as you put it in your heart and mind that Miri is mine.”

Really?

I can’t help but smirk. “And who exactly that matters acknowledged that? Not Miri. And from what I saw today, not even her family. So where do you get the courage to claim her as yours?”

He can’t break his polite facade in front of the Shadow Castle. So he walks away without another word.

I do the same.

Because now, I have plans to make .

I need to get into No Man’s Land without being detected by any of the imperial forces.

Back at the Dragonian castle, the first place I go is my mother’s memorial room. She’s the only one here I can really speak to.

“Hey Mom,” I say softly. “Your son is planning something stupid again. For the woman he loves. I think I get it from you those dominant genes.

But don’t worry, Mom. She’s nothing like Father. I’ll be alright.”

Before I can say more, there’s a knock at the door.

“Ryden, come out. Let’s talk. If not, I’ll enter, and that would disrupt your mother’s spirit,” comes the voice of the Dragonian king.

Or should I say… my father.

I open the door and step out, shutting it firmly behind me.

“What may I help you with, Father?”

“I heard you went to the Shadow Castle again. Did anything noteworthy happen while you were there?”

“Why are you asking?” I narrow my eyes. “You’ve never cared what I did outside this place. Why start now?”

“There’s been… suspicious movement within the Shadows. You’re close to the family, so I simply wanted to inquire. No matter what, we are father and son. No need to be so cold and distant.”

He pats my back like he means it and walks away.

My mother may have fallen for your crap, but I won’t.

I mutter it under my breath before heading back to my room.

I lock the door.

And then I jumped out the window.

I can’t move as swiftly as the Shadows, nor as openly. So I need a head start.

It’s already the second day by the time I arrive.

I’m told they’ve already entered No Man’s Land and the soldiers deny me access.

At first, I respect it. I don’t want to cause trouble.

But then I hear it.

Screams.

Her voice.

I don’t hesitate. I force my way in and sprint down the path.

I find Renn, Rian, and Aeren crouched by the mouth of a tunnel.

When I reach them, I look down…

And see Miri.

Unconscious.

Bleeding.

Without a second thought, I leap in and scoop her into my arms. I barely notice the way the others stare at me as I jump back out and rush toward the exit.

The Shadow siblings trail close behind.

We get to the old cabin, and I’m directed to her room.

But no sooner do I lay her down than I’m yanked out by Renn. Rian follows, shutting the door behind him and leaving Aeren to patch her up.

“What are you doing here?” Renn demands.

I take a deep breath and answer calmly. “Don’t tell me you actually thought I’d back off?”

“I didn’t. But you came faster than expected and recklessly, at that. Do what you want. Just don’t implicate my sister.”

He walks away, Rian following.

She stays unconscious for a full day.

I stay restless.

Every hour, I want to check on her again.

And just when I’m about to…

The door opens.

She looks at me like I’m an hallucination .

To be fair, I might look the same to her.

So I reach out gently, brushing her bandaged head.

“What are you doing here?” she whispers.

“Do you really think I would feel relieved letting you do this alone?” I ask softly. “Of course I had to come. I could only secretly disobey my father-in-law’s wishes and sneak in.”

I flick her nose.

She looks so confused and so beautiful.

But before I can say more, Rian shows up and pulls her away, leading her to the others.

Only after making sure she has no brain or memory damage, of course.

She’s quickly brought up to speed about the plan and the tunnel.

And gods my girl looks so hot when she scolds Renn.

If it had been anyone else, he would’ve snapped their neck before they finished their sentence.

So yeah, everyone’s shock was justified.

But no one said anything.

We had a plan.

Tonight, we strike.

Later that night…

We return to the tunnel space.

It had already sealed itself, but Miri steps forward, slowly and purposefully, toward the mechanism. She finds the lever and pulls it with her hand.

The entrance opens.

We jump in.

The tunnel is pitch dark.

But we channel our energia and create light. Step by step, we move deeper.

There are flying creatures agitated and violent but they’re instantly burned down by Miri and me.

Eventually, we reach the apex of the tunnel where it splits.

“We’ll split into two groups,” General Rehn says. “I’ll take my two soldiers and Prince Aeren on this new path. The rest of you continue forward.”

He hands us pairs of communication devices.

We nod.

Just as we start to move—

The tunnel behind us collapses.

Rubble. Dust. No way back.

“General, the path has closed. Are you all okay?” Renn radios in immediately.

“Don’t worry, Prince. We’re fine here,” the general replies. “Let’s find an alternate way out. We’ll meet at the cave’s exit. Try not to lose your device no matter what.”

We all exchange a look.

Then, with steady resolve, we move forward.

Deeper into the unknown.