Kade and the army shortly returned to the palace with Atlan as a prisoner. The war was called off, for there was no point in it. The prize either side wanted was dead.
The journey back to the palace was long and harsh. It took ten men to physically pry the Commander off of Lina. They placed her in a make-shift carriage, despite the Commander's demands.
Kade couldn't part from her. He refused to. He physically couldn't do so. He sat upon his horse, all alone, when he should've had Lina in his arms. He rode back to Ritan agasted and haggard.
There was no light in his eyes. No joy on his face. He had won the war, but at what cost?
Kade had lost everything.
- - - - -
"What? Summon the Imperial Doctor for the Princess?" Sebastian requested, his brows shot upwards in shock.