Morning arrived with ceremony already waiting.
Kael stood near the high arches of the ceremonial hall, dressed in deep black and silver, the weight of leadership resting easily on him, but today, there was something else beneath it.
Something quieter.
Something less controlled.
Riven stood beside him.
Arms folded.
Watching.
“I didn’t think I’d see this day,” Riven said.
Kael didn’t look at him.
“You’ve seen many things.”
Riven let out a small breath.
“Not this,” he replied.
“Not you… standing here, waiting for someone.”
That made Kael glance at him briefly.
“You never spoke about wanting a mate. Never spoke about needing one.”
A pause.
“And now look at you.”
Kael’s gaze shifted toward the aisle.
But this time
there was something in it.
Not just expectation.
Anticipatio
