Lyra’s face fell, disappointment clouding her features. “But you promised we’d go to the spring together.”
Aiden knelt down. “I know, sweetie, and I’m sorry. I promise we’ll come back soon. But this is important.”
“Okay, Daddy. I’ll see you at home.”
With that, Aiden called for two of his men, ordering them to escort Lyra safely back to the village. As he turned away, the guilt gnawed at him, but the pull of Maria’s call was too strong, and he headed back through the forest, leaving Lyra in the care of his trusted guards.
*
"We're almost there, little princess," Tobias said, trying to ease the little girl's anxiety. "Once we arrive, we'll say our prayers and then head back, okay?"
"Yes."
As Lyra walked with the guards, the path seemed darker, the woods more foreboding. The men walked slightly ahead, their conversation low and distracted. Lyra clutched her bouquet of wildflowers tightly, glancing around the unfamiliar surroundings.
Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat as she froze, her instincts warning her of something amiss. The guards paused, sensing the tension, but before they could react, a low growl echoed through the trees.