Later that evening, after the tension had eased and King Mesha had been properly reinstated on his throne, the Lionara party began preparing to leave. Their mission in Purlit was over. For now.
The skies were darker than usual, like even the heavens were exhausted from the day's events.
Abuchi lingered beside Ruth, eyes troubled. He didn't want to part with her, not yet, but he also had no choice. Their family had to return home, and fast. There was still much to do.
The official coronation of Somto as king.
The public announcement of their father's death.
And, perhaps most importantly… the message they needed to send to the world.
Lionara wasn't weakened.
The kingdom had feared revealing the former king's death because it would have exposed their vulnerability. Predators always circled wounded prey.
But now?
Now that their elder brother was back, alive, dangerous, and cold as iron, no one would dare test their strength.
Somto was Lionara's hidden weapon.
