CHAPTER 27: BEHIND THE TREES

Alvaro began to understand the situation. Whatever the general’s intentions were, he was determined to have Sylas brought to the palace—even if it was just for an investigation.

Meanwhile, Prince Virouse was making sure Sylas never stepped foot inside the palace. With all the rumors going around, it wasn’t impossible that the prince was behind everything.

Alvaro didn’t want to make the wrong move, but right now, he had no weapons or supplies. They would die on the road before Virouse’s soldiers even caught them. It was better to head to the palace right away, no matter what happened.

They just had to prove their innocence.

But what about King Adrien’s condition? If the king died, it would be nearly impossible to clear Sylas of the accusations.

Alvaro tightened his grip on the reins, feeling a sharp headache. His body still ached from the last battle, but he ignored it. The situation was far more serious now.

At least he knew where to go—and who to avoid. As bad as it sounded, it would be better to get captured by the general’s soldiers than Virouse’s.

Alvaro heard Kai’s voice calling Sylas from inside the carriage. He wasn’t sure how the slave had ended up there, but somehow Kai had found them both. If no one had seen them, Alvaro couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened.

In a forest like that, who would ever find them? They would have died for nothing. So he was grateful for Kai’s presence, even if he didn’t understand where the slave had come from.

Inside the carriage, Kai knelt beside Sylas, who still had his eyes closed. He knew he shouldn’t touch the prince, so he only called out, making sure Sylas was still alive.

Alvaro had no idea what the soldiers had done to Sylas to keep him unconscious for so long.

"Wake him up!" Alvaro ordered.

Kai heard him and nodded, calling Sylas’s name several times, but with no success.

"Master..."

Kai gently stroked Sylas’s cheek. The man’s face was pale, and Kai grew more worried.

"Master..." he called again, stroking a little harder. He dared to shake Sylas’s arm, hoping it would wake him.

But for several moments, nothing happened. The only thing that told Kai Sylas was still alive was his faint breathing and heartbeat.

Kai was still trying to wake him when the carriage suddenly stopped, and the horses neighed loudly. The jolt threw him against the wall.

"Oh!" he groaned. But as soon as the carriage came to a halt, he rushed back to check on Sylas.

Suddenly, the carriage door burst open. Kai was startled to see Alvaro in a panic as he climbed in. Without a word, he lifted Sylas onto his shoulders.

Kai was confused.

Alvaro looked down at him. "Go. If you come with us, you’ll die," he said before stepping out of the carriage.

Kai’s eyes widened. He moved to follow, but Alvaro was already running into the trees. Kai stood there, unsure of what to do.

Then he heard the sound of hooves approaching. His heart pounded. Was it the masked soldiers again?

Quickly, he ducked behind a large tree, stepping carefully to stay out of sight. He didn’t want to die by the sword like the coachman had.

Kai knew the direction Alvaro had gone, so he followed, searching for signs in the bushes. But soon, he lost his way in the thick undergrowth. He had no idea where to go.

It was dark and gloomy. All around him were birdsong, rustling wind, and the crackling of dry branches underfoot.

He had no choice now but to rely on instinct and hope he could find Alvaro.

Meanwhile, Alvaro had already gone deeper into the forest. From a distance, he spotted masked soldiers positioned in several places. He cursed under his breath as he kept moving.

"Alvaro..." Sylas woke up with a pounding headache. Especially painful since he was slung uncomfortably over Alvaro’s shoulder.

"You’re awake?" Alvaro asked, exhausted but still moving. He didn’t lower Sylas and kept running.

"What’s happening?" Sylas asked softly, his voice weak.

"You won’t like it. We’re being chased by Prince Virouse’s soldiers."

Sylas swallowed hard. His throat was bone dry.

"Put me down, Alvaro."

"You won’t be able to run."

"You’ll get tired."

"That’s better than getting caught."

"Put me down," Sylas repeated firmly.

Alvaro sighed and looked around. The forest was pitch-black. Giant trees blocked out the sunlight. Up ahead, he saw a small lake.

It looked like a safe spot. So he set Sylas down.

Sylas felt dizzy and weak. He almost collapsed, but Alvaro caught him.

"I told you, you can’t even walk, let alone run."

Alvaro helped him over behind a large rock. Sylas’s face was pale.

"Alvaro, go to the palace. You’ll get there faster. I’m just slowing you down. Let them follow me instead," Sylas said weakly.

Alvaro shook his head. "The situation’s too risky. I don’t even know if I can get out of the palace once I’m in. Especially with the soldiers. I have to take you with me."

"They’ll keep looking for me. Go back."

Alvaro sighed. "How could I leave you alone?"

"It’s better than both of us dying out here. We have nothing."

"No. We’re going together. I have to make sure you’re safe."

"Alvaro—"

"No," Alvaro cut him off. "Your safety comes first. I’m not leaving you. No matter what. Even if you order me to."

Sylas sighed. "Why are you so stubborn? I’m not that easy to kill."

"Oh, you don’t know Prince Virouse’s secret soldiers. What they did to the palace guards..."

Sylas frowned. Alvaro explained everything that had happened while he was unconscious.

"So our enemies are Virouse’s soldiers. We really can’t let them find us. They’re brutal," Alvaro said.

"The general should’ve sent elite soldiers," he added with a sigh.

Sylas leaned against the rock, weak and trembling. He pictured everything Alvaro described. It was going to be a nightmare getting back to the palace.

"Are you okay?" Alvaro asked, noticing how pale he looked. They should’ve gone to a doctor instead of running through the woods.

Sylas shook his head. "I’m fine. Don’t worry about me."

But as soon as he said that, fresh blood ran from his nose.

"Damn!" Alvaro cursed, quickly wiping it away with his sleeve. He looked at Sylas, more concerned than ever.

"Rest. I’ll find something. You must be starving," Alvaro said. He hated leaving Sylas, but he had to.

Sylas couldn’t even lift his head. He didn’t know why he felt so weak. He remembered smelling something strange in the wet cloth they’d used to cover his face. They must have drugged him.

Sylas nodded. After Alvaro left, he closed his eyes and lay down.

Time passed quickly. Day turned into night. And Alvaro still hadn’t returned.

Sylas began to worry. Hunger, pain, and exhaustion were gone now—replaced by fear. He walked along the lake, hoping to see Alvaro.

But then he returned to his original spot, afraid Alvaro might come back and not find him there. What if something had happened?

Still, the man didn’t return.

Where was he?

Panic started to build. Sylas couldn’t relax. His body was tense with dread.

Then, he heard a branch snap. Dry leaves crunched nearby. A glimmer of hope sparked.

"Alvaro?" he called out.

No reply.

He immediately tensed up. Alvaro wouldn’t scare him like that on purpose.

"Who’s there?!" Sylas shouted, grabbing a rock. He was sure someone was there, hidden behind the trees. His eyes adjusted to the dark.

A figure slowly moved behind the tree, staring at him.