The next morning at the castle is anything but quiet. You can feel the buzz in the air.
Soldiers are out in the courtyards, practicing their drills. The sounds of clashing swords and shouted commands blend into a chaotic symphony.
Messengers dart through the halls, their feet pounding against the stone floors as they carry urgent messages back and forth.
Outside, the sky is cloaked in thick, dark clouds, a sure sign that a storm is on its way. But this isn't just a weather thing; there's something more brewing beneath the surface.
I find Kael standing by the window, his gaze fixed outside. His silver hair catches what little light there is and shines. He's got his armor laid out on the table nearby, ready for him to wear, but he hasn't made the move to put it on yet.
He looks tired today, worn down by the burden he carries. Yet, there's still that undeniable beauty in him, a light that won't go out.
I tiptoe towards him, not wanting to break his focus. As soon as my steps catch his attention, he turns to me. A small smile crosses his lips, but there's a heaviness in his expression, too.
"They're ready to fight," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.
I nod, trying to provide him some reassurance.
"And you? Are you ready?" I ask, curiosity laced with concern.
He takes a moment, like he's weighing his thoughts. Then, instead of answering, he reaches for me, gently pushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I can feel the warmth of his fingers on my cheek, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
"I've been fighting for so long," he admits, his voice a bit rough around the edges. "Sometimes I wonder if I've forgotten why I started."
"You fight for them," I remind him. "For peace in our world."
He pierces my gaze with his, and then his voice drops even lower.
"No," he says softly. "Now I fight for you."
My heart races at his words, and the air between us grows thick with newfound tension.
I place my hand over his heart, feeling its steady beat under my palm. It's strong and alive. He closes his eyes, leaning into my touch, and I feel our connection grow deeper.
When he finally opens his eyes again, they burn with something fierce. He cups my face in both his hands, and I can almost sense him leaning in for a kiss. I want him to; more than anything, it's what I hope for in this moment.
But he hesitates, pressing his forehead against mine. We're so close that I can feel his breath mixing with mine.
"I can't," he whispers. "If I lose you..."
"You won't," I breathe, trying to reassure him, to banish the fears lurking in his heart.
He pulls back just a tad, enough to look at me. I know he can see the truth in my eyes.
I love him. Even without having spoken those exact words, the certainty weighs heavily in my heart. I think he sees it too, because his hands shake slightly before he drops them.
"I want you, Aria," he admits, his voice wavering, full of raw emotion. "But I'm scared."
Hearing that cuts me deep. I want so badly to reach for him again, to comfort him, but he takes a step back.
"I need to make sure it's safe first," he says, his voice firm, but it's clear he's not just talking about the fight outside. "For you."
I feel tears welling in my eyes. "Kael…"
He shakes his head, and my heart sinks further. "I'm sorry."
Just as I'm about to say more, a loud knock interrupts us. Kael stiffens, his entire demeanor shifting back to that of the king.
"Come in," he calls, his tone now sharp and cold.
A soldier enters, bowing deeply. "My lord, scouts are back. The enemy is closing in."
In an instant, Kael transforms again. The gentleness is gone, replaced by the intensity of a true leader.
"Get the defenses ready," he commands, his voice steady.
The soldier nods and hurries out. Kael gives me one last lingering look, filled with all the things we can't say right now.
"But this isn't the time for that," he reminds me sternly. "Stay behind the walls, no matter what."
"I'm not hiding," I reply, my stubbornness slipping out.
A small, almost playful smile flickers on his lips. "Of course you aren't."
He brushes his fingers against mine as if it's a goodbye, and then he turns away, walking off to confront whatever chaos lies ahead. I watch him go, feeling a mix of longing and worry in my chest.
I want to be by his side. I want to fight alongside him and not just wait around. But deep down, I know he needs me to be safe. That's the priority—for now, at least.
Later on, I find myself at the castle's highest tower, peering out over the landscape. Just beyond the tree line, the enemy army is gathering. I can see thousands of soldiers, their dark banners fluttering ominously in the chilly wind.
Kael's troops are significantly fewer in number, but there's a fire within them that you can't ignore.
I spot Kael at the front of his army, his silver armor shining against the dark backdrop. Armed with his sword, he looks more powerful than anything I've ever seen—an unstoppable force.
I grip the stone railing tightly as a desperate whisper escapes me, "Come back to me."
Then, the battle horn sounds, and that's it—the war is upon us.
Hours tick by. The sunset paints the sky red, a cruel reminder of the violence unfolding below. I can hear the distant sounds of screams cutting through the air, mingling with the crackle and pop of magic—fire and ice and raw energy.
Kael is moving like a shadow through the enemy ranks, fierce and relentless, but I know one person can't take on so many.
I can't remain hidden anymore. I rush down the tower steps, my heart racing, determined to help in any way I can. I grab a healing satchel from its perch and sprint towards the courtyard.
Inside, soldiers are bringing in the injured, and I immediately spring into action. I press my hands over a man's bleeding side, and golden light flows from my fingers, knitting the wound closed.
Next, I move to another soldier, then another, my magic getting stronger with every person I save. Somewhere out on the battlefield, Kael is still battling on, and I can't just stand by.
I will fight, not with a sword, but in my way. I'll heal. I'll hold onto hope. And above all, I'll wait for him.
But dread creeps in as I realize something deep inside me, something worse than swords or magic, is approaching. It threatens everything we've fought so hard to protect.
And I can't shake the fear that love alone may not be enough to save us when it counts.
But there's one thing I know for sure: I chose him. I choose him still. And there's no way I will let the darkness take him without a fight. Not now. Not ever.