Chapter 52: Going for a Ride

"Stand up," Kaelix commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"We're going for a ride," Kaelix said, turning on his heel and walking away without waiting for a response.

Eirik blinked, caught off guard by the abruptness of the command. He glanced at Sadiki, who looked just as bewildered.

For a moment, he considered refusing, after all, Kaelix had no right to order him around like that. But something in the way Kaelix said it, stopped him. There was a determination there, a fire that Eirik couldn't quite place.

Without a word, Eirik stood and followed Kaelix, his heart hammering in his chest.

As they walked away, Sadiki remained standing in the garden, watching them go with a mix of confusion and concern.

Something was different about Eirik today, something that made him uneasy. He had never seen his prince so flustered, so quick to comply with someone else's orders without questioning it,