Mirael paced around her room, her brother’s words echoing in her mind.

“How could he be so heartless?” She thought as she continued to pace back and forth. “The lioness is a living creature, not some object to be claimed or discarded.”

As she considered her options, an idea began to take shape. She needed to get to the lioness and free her without being caught. But how could she bypass the guards and the duke?

Mirael took a deep breath, steeling herself.

“I can’t just stay put,” she whispered to herself. “I have to go. Now!”

She quietly made her way to the nearest exit, her heart racing as her bare feet touched the cold stone ground. As she stepped outside, the cool afternoon air hit her. It was a welcome contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the palace. She moved through the shadows, hoping to avoid being seen because there were guards everywhere.

Back in the cage, Nyra strained against her bonds, first ripping through the rope that Mirael had helped cut. She felt a flicker of hope as she thought of Mirael. The girl had been kind, and Nyra believed she might be the key to her escape.

Moments later, Mirael approached the holding area where Nyra was being kept. She glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, then approached the cage.

“Hey, lioness,” she whispered, her voice trembling with urgency.

Nyra perked up, her golden eyes locking onto Mirael’s.

“You came!” Nyra thought.

"I won't let them treat you like this. The people are just locked up so they're safe, but I don't know what they're going to do with you," Mirael muttered.

Mirael reached for the lock on the cage, her fingers trembling as she tried to recall how the mechanism worked.

“They have guards everywhere; you shouldn’t be here.” Nyra thought and hoped Mirael could understand.

“I have to try to get you out of here,” Mirael said, biting her lip, her heart racing as she fiddled with the lock. “I won’t let them hurt you.”

With a final twist, the lock clicked open. Mirael swung the cage door wide, her heart pounding with adrenaline as the hinges creaked and groaned in protest, a sound that echoed the weight of her reckless decision.

“Quickly, we have to go before anyone notices!” Mirael insisted.

Nyra hesitated, her instincts telling her to be cautious. Then, Mirael bravely reached in and cut her back paws free, and together, they slipped out into the dimly lit corridors of the palace. As they crept away, Mirael felt a surge of determination. She would protect Nyra, no matter the cost.

They slipped into the courtyard, and Mirael guided Nyra to the corner of the outer wall.

“I used to slip out and meet up with Princess Elira through here,” Mirael said.

A memory suddenly flashed into Nyra’s mind; it was memories of Elira and Mirael hanging out together when they were children and would run around in the castle gardens, and when they got older, they would have tea together in Elira’s room or out in the castle’s courtyard.

Mirael parted the hedge in front of the hole in the wall. Anyone flexible enough could fit through. Snapping back to reality, Nyra urgently nudges Mirael, hinting for her to go first, so Mirael climbs through the hole and Nyra follows through, brushing past this crystal-like rock embedded into the wall.

“We made it out!” Mirael whispered excitedly. “Let’s get away from here and get you back home.”

Nyra lay down, allowing Mirael to get on her back.

“The lioness has escaped!” Leopold yelled.

Leopold made eye contact with Mirael and flicked his head as if to say, “Go, get out of here.”

“Get me Mirael. Now!” the duke shouted.

“She’s not in her room, sir!” a guard called back.

“Mirael, when I find you, I will ensure your punishment will be severe. Your foolishness has gone too far!” the duke yelled.

Mirael quickly jumped onto Nyra’s back, and they ran into the distance.

***

After running for a while, they noticed a small army of men coming towards them. They panicked and looked around. Nyra noticed a large shrub and dived into it while Mirael clung to Nyra’s fur.

"Sir, we are getting close to the duke's palace. However, nightfall is gaining on us. Should we take a break?" a guard called, standing in front of the shrub.

“We should. Even though Nyra is waiting for us, we must not enter unprepared," a familiar voice ordered. "Kaia, Silas, set up the medical tent. Orin and the rest set up camp. Horus, Mistral, Koda, and Zara, be on the lookout and protect the camp. Move out!”

“It’s King Eldric. I can’t reveal myself; he knows who I am,” Mirael whispered.

Nyra started to step out from the shrub, but Mirael stopped her.

“W… what are you doing? We can’t get past them!” Mirael whispered sharply.

Nyra continued to come out, now with Mirael clinging to Nyra's fur.

“Hey, listen to me—"

“Who’s there!” King Eldric said cautiously. “Come out of there!”

Mirael held onto Nyra’s fur and lowered herself flat to Nyra’s back, hiding from Eldric.

“Nyra!” Eldric cried.

He rushed to Nyra, but she quickly stepped back to protect Mirael. Feeling her fear, Mirael’s grip tightened, pulling on Nyra’s fur.

“Ouch, loosen your grip, would you!” Nyra thought, wincing a little.

“Nyra!" called a familiar female voice.

Nyra looked up and saw Rachelle rush towards her.

“Stay back!” Nyra roared.

“I’m glad you’re back, but why? Did the duke hurt you?” Rachelle said.

Nyra shook her head.

"Please understand, I don't think it is wise to get closer to me," Nyra growled softly.

"Your Highness, she doesn't want us to get close, but she won't tell me why," Rachelle said. "She's safe. No harm came to her."

“Nyra, is it safe to be near you?” Eldric asked.

Nyra nodded. Eldric took a step forward, but Nyra instantly took a step back.

Queen Elena emerged, her eyes landing on Nyra.

“Oh, Nyra…”

Her breath hitched, her hands trembling as she took a step forward. Disbelief flickered across her face before it crumbled into raw emotion. A sob broke free, and her legs gave way as she sank to her knees, tears spilling freely.

Nyra’s heart ached. She had an overwhelming urge to run to Elena, to comfort her. But first, she needed to ensure there was no one behind her. She sidestepped quickly, settled behind Elena, and gently nuzzled her back.

“I’m sorry for worrying you,” Nyra purred softly.

Nyra’s connection with Elena differed from the way Elira had felt—where Elira had cared for both Eldric and Elena equally, Nyra’s bond with Elena was far deeper.

“Elena, I’m sorry to ask this, but Nyra is hiding something. Will she show you?” Eldric asked, his voice quiet but insistent.

"I know she won't," Elena replied, wiping away her tears. "Can't you see how she's brushing against my back? If she could’ve, she would’ve run to me sooner."

Nyra stopped nuzzling Elena, sensing she was feeling better. She turned her head toward Mirael and gently licked her face.

“We’re away from the big, mean Eldric now; you’re safe to come out,” Nyra purred in a voice full of exaggerated reassurance.

Rachelle couldn’t hold back a snicker, quickly stifling it with a hand.

Mirael felt the weight lift off her shoulders as she trusted Nyra completely. It was as if Nyra’s grunt said, “Everything is okay now. You’re safe.”

Nyra lay down carefully, showing Mirael on her back. Mirael swung her legs around and slid off Nyra.

“You!” Eldric snapped, his voice sharp and cutting. His fists clenched at his sides; his eyes narrowed as if he could burn holes through her. “You’re that bastard’s daughter!”

Mirael flinched, pressing herself against Nyra’s side, her face pale. Nyra could feel Mirael trembling against her side.

“Rachelle, can I ask you to relay?” Nyra thought, her mind racing.

But Rachelle didn’t react.

"Hey, Rachelle!" Nyra growled, her irritation rising.

Rachelle flinched as if struck.

“That was loud, Nyra,” she whispered, rubbing her temple, her face scrunched in pain.

“Could you come closer? You may hear me better,” Nyra suggested, her voice softening. “Sorry about that.”

Rachelle swallowed hard and stepped closer.

"Your Highness, Nyra wishes to speak with you. May I?” she asked, her voice small but steady.

Eldric’s eyes darted to her, still burning with anger. “You may,” he said.

Rachelle nodded. “I will relay her exact words,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I apologise for any disrespect.”

Rachelle took a deep breath and began.

“I wish you could hear me, Eldric, because I don’t want Rachelle to have to say this, but… how dare you snap at Mirael like that! She has done nothing but be kind and helpful to me. She rescued me, and in return, I helped her escape from that horrible man. I didn’t expect you to snap at everything you don’t like. So stop jumping to conclusions before you know what actually happened. Yes, Duke Dawellen is a bastard, but Mirael is not the same. I wouldn’t be standing in front of you if she were. You…arse.”

Rachelle blushed as she finished, bowing deeply. “My sincere apologies, Your Highness,” she whispered.

Eldric's face shifted. The storm in his eyes dimmed slightly. Nyra stepped away from Mirael, padding softly toward Elena, brushing her cheek with a nuzzle. She then turned to Eldric, but before she could approach. Kaia, Silas, and Orin formed a protective wall in front of him. Nyra’s lip curled as she let out a deafening roar, sending the guards scattering in shock.

“I’m sorry,” Nyra purred, her tone softening, “but please, think before you act next time. And… I’m sorry for leaving the dining hall.”

She stepped closer and, to Eldric’s surprise, licked his cheek.

“Whoa…” Eldric blinked, startled by the gentle gesture. “Rachelle, did she say anything?”

“She’s sorry for what she said,” Rachelle said, “and for leaving the hall.

Eldric exhaled, the tension leaving his shoulders as he placed both hands on either side of Nyra’s face, resting his forehead against hers.

“Don’t scare me like that,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

***

Later that night, the moon hung high in the open sky, casting a silver glow over the camp. Nyra lay next to Mistral and Nero, their fur brushing against hers as they gazed at the stars. Koda was sound asleep in Eldric’s tent while Horus kept watch outside.

“What a beautiful view,” Nyra said, her voice quiet but content.

“True,” Mistral agreed, his tail flicking lazily.

“So, what should we call you now?” Nero asked, his ears twitching in curiosity.

Nyra tilted her head, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“For what you told us before… all this chaos,” Nero reminded her, his voice gentle.

Nyra sighed softly. “I’m still Nyra. I just… have memories of Elira. I’ve lived as her before, but I’m not Elira anymore.”

Nero’s ears pricked up at the sound of Rachelle's footsteps, but before he could say anything, Rachelle spoke.

“What are you talking about?” Rachelle asked.

Nyra smiled, patting the ground next to her with her paw. “Come sit. We were just admiring the view. Look at that sky, it’s so clear tonight.”

“That’s true,” Rachelle said, glancing up. “It really is beautiful.”

Nero chuckled. “That’s exactly what Mistral said a minute ago. You’ve got the same taste!”

Rachelle laughed softly, feeling more at ease among the animals now.

“I’m sorry about Horus and my squabble earlier. Horus is too proud to admit when he’s wrong.” Nero said.

"It's fine, even if it was a struggle to hear Zara, who's fast asleep with Mirael in my tent," Rachelle said. "She snores quite loudly. Mirael must have been tired enough to sleep right next to her.”

Nyra stretched, yawning. “Speaking of sleep, I’m going to hit the sack. Enjoy the view, it’s a full moon tonight.”

Her muscles felt heavy as she padded into her tent. She curled up and rested her head on her paws. As she closed her eyes, the night’s events replayed in her mind.