Chapter 19
The ruins of the Hollow King’s throne were still warm.
Elira sat beside Kael, their backs against a cracked pillar as morning light bled through the broken dome above.
She could still hear Nyla’s voice.
“You broke the first seal… now the second awakens.”
Her palm throbbed not with heat this time, but ice.
Kael’s Vow
Kael watched her in silence, his face pale, a gash on his brow still bleeding sluggishly.
“You were gone for three days,” he said.
“I know.”
“I buried you once.”
She met his eyes.
“I told you not to.”
He cracked a smile. “You’re hard to kill.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a gift anymore.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Kael took her hand.
“Whatever’s next,” he said, “I face it with you.”
The Vision Returns
That night, Elira was drawn to the remain
