Ardyn POV

The storm didn’t ease with dawn.

If anything, the sky grew darker, as if the night refused to loosen its grip. Clouds churned like black smoke over the cliffs, streaked with jagged veins of red lightning that split the heavens with a sound like tearing metal. The air was thick, heavy, tasting of copper and blood. My magic stirred beneath my skin, restless, sharp like a beast pacing in its cage.

“She’s here,” I whispered.

Kael’s hand tightened around mine.

Around us, ...