A brief respite

Ciara spent several days in the village, immersing herself in the simple, quiet life her family had built under Mother Agar's watchful care. Here, far from the tensions brewing in her kingdom and the darkness lurking in Kael's realm, she felt grounded, her worries eased by the laughter of her sons and the warmth of Fidel's steady presence.

The mornings began early, with Ethan and Emery eager to practice the drills she had taught them. Ciara watched them spar, their faces alight with excitement as they wielded sticks like swords, their movements becoming sharper, more controlled with each day. It was both thrilling and bittersweet to see their potential—these glimpses of their inherited strength reminded her of the dangers that might follow them as they grew.