Moon hated sieges.

There were very few things she could summon up such an emotion for. In truth, she couldn't even truly hate this enemy. After all, they were only hungry.

To the Jormungand, Snow Leopards were only prey.

She watched from the balcony of the Stone Palace. In the distance, her beautiful city burned under the attack, white flame let loose upon their underground paradise. The guards would have preferred she stay inside, but they were all away in the fight.

White wings soared to her from the flames. Adeiryn landed on the balcony, his silver armor splattered with scarlet. He didn't bother to shift, only leaned on the stone railing and watched the city with piercing pine-green eyes. "The Jormungand have retreated. They're only controlling the flames now."

Moon nodded. "That is good to hear."

His tail twitched. "You went down there, didn't you?"

A chill ran down her spine. "People were dying, Adeiryn."

His claws sank into the railing. "Exactly!" he snapped. "And you could have been one of them. Those monsters could have snatched you up and bang— there's the end of the royal line."

She took a breath. "How'd you spot me?"

"Well you aren't exactly inconspicuous. You're the most beautiful leopard under the mountain, even with blood splattered all over those pristine white feathers of yours." He shook his head. "What sort of Captain of the Guard am I if I can't even keep my own fiancé alive?"

"Is that what you think? That you need to protect me?" She shifted and spread her wings. "And remember our arrangement. You are my guard and nothing else."

"No— I didn't mean it like that—"

She didn't stay to hear him. Moon soared over the city— the glowing rivers that wound between moonstone buildings, the lush gardens tucked into every available cranny. A city build completely underneath a mountain. Mynydd Mawr. Her home.

Eventually she banked, turning back for the palace. Yet instead of aiming for the balcony, she dove, straight for the silver gates. No guards stood outside the door. She sat, curled her tail over her paws, and waited.

The brisk winds stirred her feathers. It would be about dawn outside. A figure walked up the steps towards the palace, bipedal.

She shifted. "Father, why do you climb?"

The king lifted his tired blue eyes. "Moon, what are you doing out?"

Moon rubbed her arm. "You know I can't stay away. Now why are you walking?"

He sighed. "Got a nick in the wing. Healers said I shouldn't test it."

She went down the steps to his side to help him along the rest of the way. "Father... I've been thinking," she started slowly.

"Yes, you do a lot of that, my child."

She grinned. "And... I've decided I need to leave the city."

He raised his thick gray brows, but let her keep speaking.

"I need to go on a trip. Outside, in the mountains and outlying cities. I need to learn more about the world outside Mynydd Mawr. So that I can better serve my people when I fully settle into my role as Queen."

Her father paused, turned around, and sat down on the top step of the stairs. He invited her to join him. "You already have a clever head on your shoulders, Moon. Yet I do believe this trip could do you well. But I have a few conditions."

She nodded. "Yes?"

"Firstly, ask your mother. Secondly, I can watch over the city for a while, but the people will want their queen. Do not let this trip exceed half a year. Thirdly, and I beg you hear me out, bring your fiancé."

She brushed stray dark hair behind her ear. "Very well."

Her father turned to look at her. "Really? That was easy."

"I could say the same of you. Letting me go outside the mountain right after an attack."

He grinned, his wrinkled, kind face creasing. "Well, I won't argue with the queen. If I do, I'll hear about it from the empress." He chuckled. "So, when do you plan to leave?"

"Within the day. I'd like to see the border before winter closes off the tunnels."

She escorted her father back to his room, then quickly returned to hers. She threw her essentials into a satchel, threw it around her neck and shifted. She spread her wings and made for the window—

"I didn't know you were so mad at me as to run away."

She flicked her tail in annoyance. "I'm not running away. I'm going on a trip. Also, you have no right to let yourself in my chambers."

Adeiryn responded by hefting himself onto the balcony wall. He still hadn't bothered to change out of his bloody armor. "There, not inside. Now when were you planning to tell anyone you'd left? Before or after you got devoured by the jormungand?"

She started over to the balcony. "I already told my father. And you're coming with me. Pack your things. I'll wait at the stables for half an hour."

Moon launched herself into the air. Adeiryn called after her. "Wait— Moon— it's going to take longer than that to assemble a crew—"

She kept flying, and called back to him. "Then I suppose I'll have a head start."