On the early morning of spring, the sun finally broke through after a long and bitter winter.
At the gates of the Everon capital, the hunting party had assembled in full. Some were excited, others clearly dreading the three-day journey ahead. Yet among them stood one man whose eyes never stopped searching for someone in the crowd.
Lucian sat atop a jet-black warhorse, his gray-blue eyes heavy with thoughts as they scanned the noble ladies around him, hoping to glimpse a short chestnut-brown head of hair. But he had looked everywhere and still could not find that proud, defiant figure.
She wasn't coming?
His fingers unconsciously tightened around the reins, willing the surge of disappointment back into the shadows of his chest.
He had expected this outcome. But knowing it didn't make the pain any less.
What if she truly didn't come? What if she never came back?
Lucian didn't dare entertain that thought.
"Looking for someone, Your Highness?"
