The group sprinted toward the city gates, adrenaline fueling their movements. Layla's magic flared once more, casting another veil of shadows to conceal them as they slipped past the guards stationed at the gate.

By the time Alderic and his men regrouped, Layla and her companions were already gone, their figures disappearing into the darkness beyond the city walls.

Alderic stood at the gate, his expression a mix of frustration and intrigue. "She's more resourceful than I thought," he muttered to himself. "This isn't over."

As the group put more distance between themselves and Verdeti, Layla finally allowed herself to relax, the tension in her shoulders easing.

"That was too close," Mary said, her tone unusually serious.

Layla nodded, her hand resting on Luna's side. "We need to keep moving. If Alderic is this determined to find us, it means we're closer to the truth than we realized."

The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: their journey was far from over.

______

Eighth prince Alderic sat in his temporary quarters, his expression cold and calculating as he drafted the official order.

His earlier encounter with Layla had unsettled him, though he would never admit it aloud. She was unlike anyone he had met—fearless, defiant, and harboring secrets he was determined to uncover.

He sealed the parchment with his insignia and handed it to his attendant. "Send this out immediately. Every guard and mercenary in the region is to search for Layla and her companions. They're to be brought to me, alive. And remind them: the dragon is a priority."

The attendant bowed deeply and rushed out. Alderic leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Let's see how far you can run, mystery woman."

______

The news of the prince's arrest order reached Layla and her group by mid-afternoon, delivered by a sympathetic villager who quickly vanished afterward, fearing repercussions for helping them.

Layla crumpled the note in her hand, her expression dark. "A restraining order? Really? He's treating us like criminals now."

Mary chuckled, leaning against a tree. "It's flattering, in a way. You've managed to irritate royalty. Not many can say that."

Raziel, however, looked less amused. He adjusted his sword at his hip and glanced at Layla. "I could take care of him. Quietly. One less prince to worry about."

Layla shot him a sharp look. "No. We're not stooping to that level. Killing him would only cause more problems, especially with the imperial family already watching us."

Raziel grumbled but didn't argue further. Mary smirked at him. "Don't pout, Raziel. We'll handle this our way. Besides, the prince doesn't seem like much of a threat. Just a spoiled brat with too much power."

Layla sighed, rubbing her temples. "Regardless, this makes things complicated. No one will shelter us now, not with a royal order against us. We'll have to camp out tonight."

The group ventured into the outskirts of a forest, far enough from any town or road to avoid detection. Layla and Raziel worked together to find a suitable clearing while Mary scouted for any signs of nearby patrols.

Luna, their ever-curious dragon companion, followed along, her massive form making stealth a near impossibility. She sniffed at the trees, occasionally letting out small puffs of smoke that Layla quickly admonished her for.

"Luna, we're trying to stay hidden," Layla scolded, pushing the dragon's snout away from a bush she was attempting to chew.

Luna huffed but obeyed, curling up in the middle of the clearing once they set up camp.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in hues of orange and purple, the group sat around a small, contained fire. The mood was tense, each of them lost in their own thoughts about the prince's order.

"This prince," Raziel began, breaking the silence, "what's his deal? Why is he so obsessed with us?"

Mary shrugged. "Royal types are always paranoid. Maybe he thinks we're a threat to his precious reputation. Or maybe he just doesn't like being told no."

Layla poked at the fire with a stick, her expression thoughtful. "It's more than that. He recognized Luna. The dragon rumors must have reached the capital. He's not after us—he's after her."

Mary glanced at the dozing dragon and smirked. "Well, that's his mistake. Luna isn't going anywhere she doesn't want to."

Raziel nodded in agreement. "Let him try. He won't get far."

As the night wore on, the forest grew eerily quiet. Layla, on edge from the day's events, kept glancing into the shadows beyond the firelight.

"You sense that too?" Raziel asked, his hand resting on his sword.

Layla nodded. "We're not alone."

Mary stretched lazily, though her eyes gleamed with readiness. "Well, if they've come to collect a bounty, they're in for a rude awakening."

Moments later, a group of figures emerged from the trees—mercenaries, by the looks of their mismatched armor and weapons. They spread out, encircling the camp, their leader stepping forward with a confident grin.

"Evening," the leader said, his voice dripping with false charm. "I hate to interrupt your little gathering, but there's a nice reward out for the three of you. And that dragon, of course."

Luna, sensing the tension, lifted her head and let out a low growl. The mercenaries faltered, their bravado dimming at the sight of the massive creature.

"We're not looking for trouble," Layla said evenly, though her hand rested on the hilt of her dagger. "Turn around and walk away."

The leader laughed nervously, glancing at his companions. "Sorry, miss, but orders are orders. And we're not leaving empty-handed."

The standoff didn't last long. Raziel moved first, his sword flashing in the firelight as he disarmed two mercenaries in a single fluid motion. Mary followed, her movements almost playful as she knocked another to the ground with a well-placed kick.

Layla didn't draw her weapon. Instead, she raised a hand, a pulse of magic rippling through the air. The mercenaries froze, their limbs locked in place as her spell took hold.

"I warned you," she said, her voice cold.

The leader, struggling against the magic, glared at her. "You'll regret this. The prince—"

"The prince can mind his own business," Layla interrupted, tightening her grip on the spell. "Tell him we're not his prey."

With a flick of her wrist, she released the spell, sending the mercenaries stumbling back. They didn't wait for further warning, retreating into the forest as fast as their legs could carry them.