Chapter 2
337 Words
As the forest faded behind them and the moonlit road stretched out ahead, Ava sat in stunned silence. Kaelen hadn’t said why he came, or what he planned to do with her. But one thing was certain — she was going back to the very kingdom that destroyed her own.
Hours passed. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels on cobblestone soothed her nerves just enough for the questions to flood in.
Why didn’t he speak?
Why didn’t he gloat?
What did he want?
When the carriage finally stopped, Ava peeked through the curtain — and froze. The capital of Kaelen’s empire lay before her, impossibly grand. Silver towers pierced the clouds, and golden banners bearing his crest — a lion with a sword in its mouth — rippled in the dawn wind.
The door opened. Kaelen stood there, still silent, and offered his hand.
Ava refused it, stepping down on her own, head held high.
He didn’t react — just turned and began walking. She followed, refusing to show weakness.
Then, as the palace doors opened before them, he finally spoke.
“You will not be a prisoner here, Ava,” he said. “But you will stay.”
The great hall was already full when they entered — nobles, generals, foreign ambassadors, and common citizens, all gathered under the high stained-glass dome. The moment Kaelen appeared with Ava at his side, the murmurs began. A fallen princess. A lost enemy. A future queen?
Kaelen raised a hand, and the hall fell into silence.
“This is Princess Ava of Eldara,” he announced, his voice echoing across the marble. “Once promised to me by our parents. A promise broken by war, by betrayal — not by her.”
He paused, eyes scanning the room, then turned toward her. “Her kingdom fell because traitors whispered lies into the ears of kings. Because power-hungry men sabotaged peace for profit. And though I conquered her land, I will not conquer her.”
Gasps filled the room.
- Writer
