Ronan disappeared before sunrise.
No farewell.
No explanation.
When Kaelira went to the training grounds, they were empty.
When she searched the library, no one had seen him.
Even his chambers were untouched, except for his sword.
He had taken nothing else.
Only himself.
Kaelira stood in the middle of the silent room, a knot tightening in her chest.
She knew exactly why he had left.
He wasn’t running from the kingdom.
He was running from her.
For three days, Ronan avoided her.
Whenever she entered a room, he found a reason to leave.
If she joined a council meeting, he stood at the far end of the chamber.
If she trained with the Blood Guard, he assigned someone else to spar with her.
The distance hurt more than either of them expected.
The palace noticed.
“So, the Queen an
