The Itezista Forest seemed quieter than ever. The wind slipped through the branches, and pale sunlight fell in scattered patches across the wet leaves. Sofia and Dragoș walked slowly, side by side, as though every rustle might reveal a secret.
For several days they had found strange signs carved into tree trunks — curved lines and circles that sometimes seemed to vibrate. Miral had not appeared, and his silence made them feel alone.
Curious as always, Dragoș picked up a stick and began to draw the same symbols on the ground.— "I feel like I've seen them somewhere," he said. "I see them in my mind, even when my eyes are closed."
Sofia watched him closely. The drawings connected into a circular shape, like a tangled star of light and shadow.— "It's magic," she said softly. "I know it is."
The wind rose, leaves swirling in a strange dance, and a faint whisper drifted through the air:— "Sofia… Dragoș…"
Sofia flinched.— "Did you hear that?"Dragoș nodded. Before either could speak, the ground beneath him glowed — and in an instant, he vanished.
— "Dragoș!" Sofia cried, racing forward. She stumbled over roots, crossed the clearing, calling his name with a trembling voice.Light filtered through the trees, and there — in the center of a ring of stones — she found him, lying pale but unharmed.
— "Where were you?" she asked, lifting him into her arms.— "I don't know… in a place of blue light. I heard a voice. It said: 'Soon you will understand.'"
Sofia stared at him, trying to make sense of it. Perhaps the forest was testing them — or warning them. But something had changed. There was something new in Dragoș's eyes, a kind of awareness that hadn't been there before.
The wind fell still. The forest became solemn, almost ceremonial. A single ray of sunlight pierced the treetops and rested on their faces. Sofia shivered — the forest was showing them something, though she didn't yet know what.
She took Dragoș by the hand.— "Come home," she said. "The sun is setting. If night catches us here…"— "Yes, but… promise you'll come back?" he asked.Sofia gave a tired smile.
— "I promise."
They walked together, and as they left, the symbols drawn on the ground began to glow — then slowly faded, as though the forest were falling asleep again.
Once they stepped beyond the trees, the air changed — it smelled of warm bread, fire, and fresh rain. In the distance, the castle shone in the sunset. It was dinner time.
Sofia's heart still raced, but she forced herself to smile. Dragoș walked with her to the side gate from which the whole courtyard could be seen, lit by torches.
— "Tomorrow," she said.— "Tomorrow," he replied, and ran toward his home in the village at the foot of the hill.
Sofia climbed the castle steps. Inside, candles burned in tall stands. Servants hurried by with trays of fruit, soup, and bread.
The queen noticed her first.— "Sofia, where have you been, my dear? Your cheeks are cold as ice."
— "I went… a little. With Dragoș."
The king, seated at the table, lifted his gaze from the parchment he was writing.— "The forest is dangerous, Sofia. I've warned you many times."
Sofia said nothing. The queen brushed her cheek gently.— "Leave her be, dear. She's a child. Curiosity is the fire of youth."
Sofia sat, yet kept quiet. Then the queen set down her knife and smiled at her.— "My dear, we have something important to tell you."
Sofia looked up, curious.— "What happened?"— "You're going to have a brother. Or a sister."
Sofia froze with her spoon mid-air. Then her eyes filled with light.— "Really?"The queen laughed softly.— "Yes, my dear."
Sofia grew silent, but her heart warmed with a strange joy.— "I'll tell them about the forest," she whispered.
The king frowned.— "No, Sofia. We do not speak of the forest. It is a forgotten place, and it must remain so."
Silence settled around the table. Only the fire crackled in the hearth.
After dinner, Sofia retreated to her chamber. From the window, she could see the forest in the distance — dark and full of mystery. She thought of Dragoș, of the symbols, of the voice that had spoken their names.
When she closed her eyes, a pale beam of moonlight brushed her face and a warm, familiar voice slipped into her mind:— "We'll meet again, Sofia… soon."
She sat up abruptly and looked out the window. Below, among the garden trees, someone was watching her. Silver hair shimmered in the moonlight.
It was Alexandra.
The silhouette vanished as quickly as it had appeared, but Sofia's heart knew the truth: everything was just beginning.
The shadows were not sleeping.