The arena had long emptied, but the echo of dragons still haunted the skies. As Kael walked through the marble corridors of the royal estate, the stormlight in his veins had begun to dim. The duel was over, but the tension lingered.
Nobles parted for him. Some nodded in awe, others whispered with wary admiration. The King of the Second Family passed Kael with a brief nod of approval. Raythe's father, the Third Family's true king, remained seated in the highest balcony, arms crossed, watching Kael descend like a riddle he couldn't solve.
Lyra Vaelwyn stood quietly by a stone pillar, her eyes trying to meet his, but Kael offered only a fleeting glance, his grin barely there. He was charming, composed—on the outside.
Aeliria Thalorien's gaze followed him longest of all. Not with curiosity. With understanding.
He said nothing as he passed them. Just a quiet, "Until next time," tossed into the air like a breeze. But inside, Kael felt the storm rising again.
Night fell. The royal estate was silent. Kael lay in his chamber, the moonlight slashing silver across the walls.
He drifted to sleep. And the dream returned.
The girl. Her body. The blood. The way her hand had reached for him—shaking, broken—before falling still.
He was screaming. Holding her. The boy beside her wasn't moving. The hall was red. His voice cracked into sobs. The magic within him flared uncontrollably. Lightning split the walls. Fire screamed through the corridor. But he couldn't save her.
He screamed her name—
Kael jolted awake with a cry. His body was soaked in sweat. Tears blurred his vision. Thunder grumbled outside, matching the storm in his chest.
A shadow moved beside him. He flinched—until he saw her.
Aeliria.
She sat at his bedside, calm, unstartled. Her voice was quiet. "You were screaming. No one could enter. The storm wouldn't let them. So I did."
Kael tried to joke. Something light. Something stupid. But the words wouldn't come.
She placed her hand over his, gentle and firm. She didn't ask what he saw. She didn't ask what haunted him.
She just stayed.
And for once, Kael let someone stay.