Chapter 219 - Her Mother's Legacy

As they rode into the thick forest, Aryana clung to Cyrus's waist. They hurried ahead, branches and leaves whipping past them as the sunshine seeped through the canopy overhead, creating mottled shadows along their path. The old shape of Valtheon emerged against the darker sky as the woodland grew thinner, its tall spires illuminating the nearby settlement. “The last time I was here” Aryana murmured over the rhythmic beat of Cyrus’s hooves, “I came with my sisters to fight for my brother’s release. We took hidden tunnels to reach the dungeons” Cyrus slowed, looking over his shoulder with a gentle stare. He led her gently as she dismounted, “Then welcome home, my love” He said and instantly changed back to his human shape, drawing her near and sweeping a flyaway hair from her face. They started walking together, the cobblestone road to the palace glowing orange in the last of the light. Aryana's feet slowed as she surveyed the settlement around them, her eyes sweeping over ever