Kael’s POV

The gathering was supposed to be brief. Reports, border updates, nothing more. Mira stood beside Cyrus, silent but composed. The council was restless. It was tired of rumors and whispers that didn’t cease.

Kael's tone clipped. And his patience is thinning. “You all know why we’re here. Let’s get through it without theatrics, he said.

The elders nodded, though some already looked uneasy. The tension between Mira and the council was still a wound no one wanted to ...