The crowd roared with applause as the duel concluded—cheers echoing across the courtyard like a wave crashing through marble halls.
But Kael barely heard any of it.
His eyes were on Elara.
She stood beneath the sun, poised and breathless, strands of hair clinging to her cheek.
A warrior.
A royal.
A mystery.
Kael's thoughts spiraled.
Why did she name me her fiancé out of nowhere?
Why didn't she expose me when I used magic that day?
And above all…
Time magic.
She wasn't reacting in that duel.
She was anticipating.
Kael had dealt with killers, monsters, and worse—but precognition?
That made her dangerous.
And Kael had no desire to make someone like her an enemy.
Just as he was sinking deeper into that thought, a voice rang out across the courtyard—smooth, theatrical, and far too amused.
"Well, well… isn't this Kaelion Drenlor?"
Kael looked up.
