The morning sun rose gently over the Kaelith estate, casting gold light through the wide glass windows of Elara’s room. For the first time in weeks, she felt a kind of peace. The council’s decision had gone in their favor. Caelen was safe, and for a moment, the world had quieted.
But peace in the Kaelith world never lasted long.
Elara stood by the balcony, watching the gardens sway with the soft wind. Caelen’s laughter floated up from below; he was running through the grass, chasing the white butterflies that had come out after the storm. Dorian stood a few steps behind her, adjusting his cufflinks before his meeting with the family’s lawyers. His reflection in the glass looked calm, but Elara could see the tension in his shoulders.
“You didn’t sleep,” she said softly without turning.
