Not a Shred of Hatred
Arthur's body felt numb and heavy. His sternum pulsed with a dull relentless ache from the strenuous exertion he'd placed on his flame core. Considering how long it had been since Arthur had ever shifted, there were bound to be side effects.
The abnormally exaggerated heat of the sun was starting to dissipate and leave the castle, returning to the cooler temperature of the slowly approaching evening rather than the scorching noon-like heat.
To Arthur, this sudden drop in temperature could have been his stand-in for rain. What would happen to him now that his phoenix had been unleashed? Where did he go from here?
No one could pretend he was ignorant of his past anymore.
He knew nothing of what his father would decide now.
As the king walked away from him, he ordered everyone to give Arthur some space and so they did, leaving Arthur to himself and his thoughts.
Arthur was now alone… and grateful for that as well.