Serena
The last time I saw Kael’s eyes like that was the day I left with Ari. Back then, he had worn the weight of silence like a crown, his stare cold and final, daring me to walk away but begging me in ways words never could not to. Now those eyes were on me again, only different. Not a challenge. Not a wall. But a wound left open.
He was standing at the far edge of the courtyard, half-hidden in the stone shadows that wrapped around the pillars. He didn’t come forward, didn’t call my name, didn’t even try to pretend he had business being there. He just stood, tall and watchful, and his gaze was fixed on Ari.
Ari didn’t. My son was too busy charging through the grass, sword in hand, his cape flying behind him as if he had wings. But I couldn’t take my eyes off Kael. The way he leaned
