Kaydence didn't look away from her. His voice lowered, steady and deliberate, as though he were choosing each word with care.
"Before I begin, Meisha… is there anything you can remember about that evening?"
Meisha shifted onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her brows furrowed as she reached for the fragments of memory still sharp enough to grasp.
She closed her eyes.
"I remember when Nichelle and I parted ways," she whispered. "I made it back to my sleeping quarters with little to no issues."
Kaydence lay beside her, giving her his full, undivided attention.
"Hours went by," she continued, "and then… there was a knock at the door. It was Silas."
Kaydence nodded. "Lord Varrick had requested your presence."
"Yes." Meisha swallowed. "And during that walk, I made peace with whatever the outcome was going to be."
Her voice softened, trembling at the edges.
"I remember the brief conversation with him. He was so worried." She paused, recalling the pained look on Silas's face. "He asked, 'What have you done, Meisha?'"
She turned her gaze to Kaydence.
"And I told him that I gambled with my life."
Kaydence's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent, letting her speak.
"He said he hoped it was worth it. And I told him… whether I lived or died, it was worth it."
Kaydence's mind flashed with the image of her limp body in his arms, the burns on her wrist, the shallow breaths. The memory hit him like a blade.
He reached for her hand and lifted it gently, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it.
Meisha blinked, startled. "What was that for?"
He looked at her with those steady golden eyes. "No reason at all."
Then, softly: "What happened when you reached Lord Varrick?"
Meisha exhaled, a short, weary sigh.
"You were right about not sensing Lord Warren in the estate. He must've seen or sensed Nichelle and I on the way back. I was found out. Lord Warren informed his brother and father."
Kaydence's expression darkened. "Is that when they locked you away in his quarters?"
"Yes," she whispered. "But…right when you arrived," she whispered, "they were going to inscribe an intimacy sigil on me."
Kaydence shot upright.
"What!?"
His voice boomed through the room, echoing down the hallway.
Meisha flinched, her entire body recoiling.
"Kaydence… you're scaring me."
The words hit him harder than any blade.
Kaydence's hands curled into fists, his breath sharp, his eyes blazing with protective rage — but now that rage was turned inward, at himself for frightening her.
He stood from the bed immediately, putting space between them so she wouldn't feel cornered.
"My apologies, Meisha," he said, voice low and controlled. "You have to relay this information to both our fathers."
Worry washed over her face. "Did I say something wrong?"
Kaydence shook his head firmly.
"No, Meisha."
He knelt down beside the bed, lowering himself to her level, softening his posture. He extended his hand to her — open, steady, gentle.
"Once again," he said quietly, "I apologize for frightening you."
He swallowed hard, the weight of what she'd revealed settling heavily on him. His mind conjured the alternative outcome — what could have happened if they his father had decided to wait — and it made his stomach twist.
"This information you've just revealed to me…" He took a slow breath. "It's imperative that we inform them."
Meisha trembled, but she placed her hand in his, trusting him despite her fear.
"Okay."
Kaydence closed his fingers around hers, grounding her with the warmth of his touch.
And the truth of what happened that night — the truth he still needed to tell her — hung between them like a storm waiting to break.
He rose from his kneeling position and helped Meisha sit up. She was still trembling faintly, but she didn't pull her hand from his. If anything, she held tighter.
"Stay here a moment," he murmured.
He crossed the room to the armoire, opening it with a practiced motion. Inside, neatly arranged, were garments and accessories meant for her comfort.
He retrieved a pair of embellished slippers — soft, embroidered with delicate silver thread — and a light shawl woven in muted blues and greys.
Returning to her side, he draped the shawl gently around her shoulders, adjusting it so it covered her fully. Then he knelt again, slipping the slippers onto her feet with careful, almost reverent hands.
Meisha watched him, her heart tightening at the tenderness of it.
Kaydence stood, pulling on his boots with swift efficiency. Then he extended his hand to her once more.
"Come," he said softly. "We need to speak with them."
Meisha placed her hand in his, and he helped her to her feet. His grip was firm and steady.
They stepped out of her quarters, and Kaydence immediately set a brisk pace down the corridor, his stride long and purposeful. His hand remained wrapped around hers, guiding her forward.
But Meisha — still recovering, still shaken — struggled to keep up.
"Kaydence," she called softly, breath catching. "Could you please slow down? You're walking too fast."
He stopped instantly.
He turned to her, golden eyes softening the moment he saw the strain in her expression.
"My apologies," he said, voice gentler than before. "I didn't realize."
He stepped closer, adjusting his hold on her hand so it was more supportive, less pulling.
"We'll go at your pace."
Meisha nodded, grateful.
Kaydence slowed his pace immediately at Meisha's request, adjusting his stride so she could walk comfortably beside him. Her hand remained in his, small and trembling, but she didn't let go.
"Continue," he said gently. "What happened before we arrived?"
Meisha took a steadying breath as they walked.
"After being told an intimacy sigil would be placed on me," she began, "Silas returned with news of your father's arrival. It sent them into a panic. They hurriedly threw me into Lord Varrick's quarters and cast a concealing barrier spell to hide me."
She continued on.
"I would have been fine," she whispered, "if they had hidden me anywhere else besides that room."
Her free hand clutched the ends of the shawl tightly, pulling it closed around her shoulders.
"Your mother's amulet stirred your powers," Kaydence added. "Which triggered the bracelet."
Meisha lowered her head, shame washing over her as tears began to fall silently down her cheeks.
Kaydence stopped walking.
He turned toward her and pulled her into a gentle embrace, one arm around her shoulders, the other hand resting lightly against the back of her head.
"Meisha," he murmured, his voice low and steady.
She trembled against him.
"Every time you shed tears," he said, "I struggle with the urge to keep from consoling you in ways of intimacy."
Meisha's breath hitched, her fingers curling into his tunic.
Kaydence continued, his voice warm but firm.
"I know you've stated this is something you wouldn't mind, but I want you to have a life of your own first. To focus on yourself and your recovery. You've been through so much… and I don't want the indulgence of the flesh to stray you from what you want."
Meisha nodded against his chest, her tears dampening the fabric.
Kaydence gently released her, brushing his thumb across her cheeks - wiping them away.
Before either of them could speak again, footsteps echoed down the corridor.
From a distance, Thalorian and Daman were approaching — both wearing expressions of concern.
Kaydence and Meisha turned toward them.
"Kaydence," Thalorian called, his voice deep and steady. "Is everything alright, my son? We heard your voice boom throughout the estate."
Kaydence straightened, his hand instinctively finding Meisha's again.
He kept her close as their fathers approached, his hand still wrapped around hers, steadying her.
He straightened his posture, his expression shifting into something controlled but undeniably tense.
"Father. Master Zekiel," Kaydence began, his voice steady but edged with urgency. "I know we agreed to let Meisha take her time in revealing everything slowly."
He exhaled, the weight of what she'd told him pressing heavily on his shoulders.
"But from what Lady Meisha just revealed to me needed to be relayed to you with utmost importance."
Daman's gaze immediately shifted to his daughter, concern tightening his features.
"Is this true, little flame?"
Meisha swallowed and nodded. "Yes, Father."
Thalorian's expression hardened with a commander's focus.
"Then this conversation shall be continued in my study," he said, his tone leaving no room for debate.
He gestured for them to follow.
Kaydence gave Meisha's hand a reassuring squeeze before guiding her forward, matching her pace this time. Daman walked on her other side, protective and silent, while Thalorian led the way with a stride that promised swift action.
The air around them thickened — with the gravity of truth finally coming to light.
The four of them moved through the corridor in a tight formation — Thalorian leading with a commander's stride, Daman close behind, and Kaydence walking beside Meisha with a protective steadiness that never wavered.
Meisha kept her shawl clutched around her shoulders, her steps small but determined.
When they reached the heavy double doors of Thalorian's study, the duke pushed them open with a firm, decisive motion.
"Inside," he instructed.
The room was warm with lamplight, lined with shelves of ancient tomes and maps. A large desk dominated the center, papers neatly arranged, a few sealed letters waiting for attention. The air carried the faint scent of parchment and cedarwood.
Thalorian gestured toward the seating area near the hearth — a set of cushioned chairs arranged around a low table.
"Sit," he said.
Kaydence guided Meisha to the nearest chair, helping her settle before taking the seat beside her. Daman sat across from them, his eyes never leaving his daughter's face, searching for any sign of distress.
Thalorian remained standing for a moment, assessing the room, the tension, the unspoken truths hanging in the air. Then he moved behind his desk, resting his hands on the polished wood.
"Now," he said, his voice calm but edged with steel, "tell us what has happened."
Meisha looked to Kaydence, who gave her a reassuring nod.
Filled with courage, she rose from her seat. She stepped toward Thalorian, who sat behind his desk, and bowed deeply.
"First and foremost, I want to humbly thank you, Duke Syire."
Both Kaydence and Daman exchanged startled looks.
"Me—" Kaydence began, but Daman raised a hand, shaking his head, silently urging him to let her continue.
Kaydence sat back, watching her with quiet pride.
Meisha straightened, meeting Thalorian's eyes with a steadiness she didn't know she possessed.
"I know you're investigating the death of my mother," she said softly, "but I want to thank you."
Her body trembled with nervousness, but she pushed through it.
"I also want to thank you for coming back for my father and me. For—"
Thalorian lifted a hand, stopping her gently.
He rose from his seat and stepped around the desk. With a quiet, steady presence, he guided Meisha back to her chair beside Kaydence. Then he took the empty seat next to Daman.
"You and Alyra raised a wonderful daughter," Thalorian said to Daman.
Daman's expression softened. "It seems Alyra and I have."
"Given everything she has endured," Thalorian continued, "she didn't let it change her heart."
Meisha stared at the two men, bewildered by the unexpected warmth and casual praise exchanged between them.
Then she turned to Kaydence.
He gave her a warm, proud smile — the kind that told her she had done something brave.
And the room settled into a new kind of silence.
One filled with respect.
Thalorian and Daman ended their brief exchange, their attention shifting back to the two young people seated before them. The warmth of their shared moment faded, replaced by the gravity of why they were all gathered.
Thalorian spoke first.
"Lady Meisha," he said, his tone formal but gentle. "I humbly accept your gratitude. But if you wish to extend it to someone… it should be the man sitting beside you."
He cleared his throat meaningfully.
Meisha turned to Kaydence. His golden eyes were already on her, soft with adornment.
"You did make a vow to me," she whispered. "I remember it now. My ap—"
Kaydence lifted two fingers to her lips, shaking his head.
"No more apologies," he said softly. "I intended to keep my vow."
Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she nodded, unable to hold his gaze for long.
Thalorian cleared his throat again — louder this time — cutting through the growing intimacy between them.
Both Meisha and Kaydence straightened, turning their attention back to the two fathers.
"Now," Thalorian said, folding his hands in his lap, "my son states you have something to inform us about."
Meisha nodded and straightened her posture, drawing in a steadying breath.
"Yes," she said. "Kaydence asked if I remembered the events that led up to your arrival."
Thalorian shifted slightly, hands clasped. Daman leaned his weight onto the arm of his chair, his expression sharpening with focus.
"Go on," Thalorian encouraged.
Meisha swallowed, then spoke.
"Well… right before the Hennis men were informed of your arrival, they were going to place an intimacy sigil on me."
The reaction was immediate.
Thalorian's eyes widened, shock flashing into something darker. A low, primal growl rumbled from his chest — the kind that came from a man who had seen too much and tolerated too little.
Daman's reaction was even more visceral.
His hand clenched the armrest so tightly that the wood snapped beneath his grip.
"I should've decapitated that old geezer," Thalorian muttered, his voice low and menacing.
A heavy silence fell over the room — thick, suffocating, charged with fury and fear and the weight of what Meisha had just revealed.
Kaydence's hand found hers again, steady and warm.
And the truth hung in the air like a blade waiting to fall.
Meisha rotated her attention between Kaydence, her father, and Thalorian. Their expressions were carved from fury and restraint, and she felt the tension pressing in from all sides.
"I understand why you all are upset," she said carefully. "An intimacy sigil would make me compliant against my will, but…" Her brows knit together. "I feel there is an explanation behind this rage. Would one of you please enlighten me?"
Her confusion was genuine — and it softened the edges of the men's anger.
Daman spoke first.
"Meisha… my little flame," he said gently. "Do you remember the bedtime story your mother used to tell you every night?"
Meisha tilted her head, puzzled. "About the city of the flame and its people?"
"Yes," Daman replied.
"But that was just a bedtime fairytale momma used to tell me." Meisha said, her voice small.
Daman shook his head slowly, sorrow and truth mingling in his eyes.
"Your mother said that to protect you," he confessed.
"What?" Meisha's eyebrows furrowed deeper. "I don't understand."
Kaydence leaned forward slightly, his voice soft but steady.
"It's as I've told you before. You come from a powerful background."
Thalorian nodded, adding his voice to the revelation.
"The city of the Flame is real. You and your mother, Alyra, are descendants from that kingdom."
The words hit Meisha like a physical force.
She sat curled slightly inward; arms wrapped around herself as she tried to process the revelation of her lineage. Kaydence watched her closely, ready to steady her if she wavered. Daman and Thalorian sat like twin storms barely held at bay, their fury simmering beneath a veneer of control.
Kaydence leaned toward her, his voice gentle.
"Would you like to stop and continue this conversation later?"
Meisha lifted her chin.
She wasn't running from this.
She wasn't hiding.
She turned to Kaydence, her voice soft but steady.
"No. Apparently there is much about who I am and my origins that I do not know." She swallowed hard, then turned to Kaydence. "You said earlier that you would tell me what happened when you discovered my body in Lord Varrick's quarters."
Her eyes lifted to his, searching.
"What happened when you found me?"
Kaydence inhaled slowly — then responded.
"Meisha," he began, voice low, "when I found you… you weren't simply unconscious."
He paused, searching for the right words.
"It is as you stated earlier. You were dying."
The air tightened.
Both fathers turned away, their expressions darkening as they fought back the resurfacing images of her limp, lifeless body in Kaydence's arms.
He continued, his voice steady but threaded with emotion.
"And that's not all. There was something else."
He reached out, gently taking her hand again.
"When I used my ability… I discovered your mother's amulet was keeping you alive from inside the locked chest."
Meisha's eyes widened.
"Even with the suppression bracelet?"
He nodded, reading the question in her expression.
"Yes. Even with the bracelet on. Even with the poison in your veins. An invisible tether from the amulet extended to you and formed a barrier around your heart."
He swallowed.
"Keeping the toxins from stopping it."
Meisha's fingers tightened around his as he continued.
"After retrieving the keys from Lord Varrick, we were able to recover your mother's amulet and remove the bracelet."
Meisha turned fully toward Kaydence, staring into his golden eyes.
"But you removed the suppression bracelet. Shouldn't I have been out of danger then?"
Kaydence held her gaze and lightly shook his head.
"No. Once we loaded up in the caravan, Nydia — the family healer — immediately began applying salves and healing magic to counteract the toxins. But the poison was too far gone. Your wrist started to become necrotic."
Meisha instinctively glanced down at her wrist, touching the skin where the bracelet once burned into her. The disbelief in her eyes was raw — the realization that she had truly been slipping from this world.
Kaydence gently guided her chin back toward him, urging her to look at him.
"I refused to let you perish from this world," he said softly. "Even after Nydia told me there was no saving you… I took hold of your wrist and siphoned out as much of the poison as I could."
"Kaydence…" Meisha breathed his name with care and adornment, her voice trembling.
"Afterward," he continued, nodding toward his father, "I was informed by my father that I went unconscious from the ordeal."
Thalorian was the first to break the silence.
"Lady Meisha," he said, his voice low but steady, "the healer stated that Kaydence's siphoning must have pulled the toxins back just enough. Because after… you erupted with a magical surge so fierce and so powerful that it engulfed you and Kaydence together."
Meisha's breath caught. She sat back in her chair, eyes wide, stunned by what Kaydence's father had just revealed.
Daman leaned forward, his voice thick with awe and lingering fear.
"The flame was enormous," he said. "It burned a hole straight through the roof of the carriage."
Meisha stared at both men, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I… did all of that? And Kaydence didn't burn?"
Both fathers shook their heads in unison.
Their expressions were a mixture of disbelief, reverence, and something else — something protective and ancient.
Kaydence didn't speak yet. He simply watched her, golden eyes soft, steady, and full of something she couldn't name.
And Meisha, trembling slightly, realized she was only beginning to understand the depth of what had happened that night — and what she truly was.
Thalorian leaned forward slightly, his voice steady as he continued explaining.
"Nydia — said that the enormous flame you emitted burned the toxins out of you. It also reversed the necrosis on your wrist."
Meisha's eyes widened. She stared at her wrist again, as if expecting to see the damage reappear. Before she could speak, a knock sounded at the study door.
Thalorian straightened. "Enter."
The door opened, and one of Sienna's lady‑in‑waiting stepped inside, followed by Sienna herself.
Thalorian and Kaydence immediately rose to greet her.
"My love," Thalorian said, stepping forward, "is there anything you need?"
Sienna shook her head with a warm smile. She kissed her husband on the cheek, then her son.
"No, there is nothing wrong, my loves. You weren't at evening meal, and the servants informed me you were still in the study. So I decided to have evening meal brought to you."
She stepped aside gracefully, shifting to Thalorian's left as servants entered behind her — carrying a table and rolling in four carts laden with food.
Kaydence stepped back to give them room. Meisha and Daman were already standing on the opposite side of the study, making space for the procession.
Sienna directed the servants with practiced ease.
"Set the study for dining," she instructed.
The servants moved swiftly, arranging the table, laying out dishes, and preparing the room for a proper meal.
"I figured everyone could at least finish the discussion over a fulfilling meal," Sienna said with a gentle smile.
Thalorian leaned in and kissed her cheek. "This is what made me fall in love with you."
"Oh, honey, stop it," Sienna said, giving his chest a flustered pat.
Kaydence, standing near the doorway, witnessed the affectionate display up close. His face flushed instantly.
"Yes. Please. Stop it. Or get a room."
Meisha and Daman chuckled politely from across the room.
"Thank you, Lady Sienna," Daman said with a respectful nod.
Meisha dipped into a small curtsey. "Thank you, Madam Sienna."
"You're welcome," Sienna replied warmly, her gaze shifting between the two of them. Then she focused on Meisha, her expression softening into something maternal.
"Take all the time you need with this meal. Okay?"
Sienna stood tall, regal, but her eyes held the concern of a loving mother. Meisha felt warmth bloom in her chest at the tone — gentle, protective, sincere.
She bowed her head, clasping her hands in front of her, feeling the weight of respect and responsibility.
"Yes, ma'am," she said, then lifted her head again.
Sienna smiled. "Good. That's what I want to hear."
She turned to Kaydence next.
"Continue to watch over her."
Kaydence nodded obediently. "Yes, Mother."
Sienna then turned toward Thalorian — but her eyes caught on the broken chair with the snapped armrest. Her expression sharpened.
She snapped her fingers once and pointed at the chair.
A servant immediately stepped forward to replace it and clean the shattered pieces from the floor. Within moments, the mess was gone and a new chair stood in its place.
With the study now fully set for dining, the servants bowed and exited.
Sienna gave Daman a respectful nod. "Master Zekiel."
Then she turned to her husband. "My love." She kissed his cheek lightly.
Thalorian returned the nod with quiet affection.
Sienna exited the study with her lady‑in‑waiting, the door closing softly behind them.
Everyone took their seats around the newly arranged table. The warm lamplight softened the edges of the study, giving the room a gentle glow that contrasted sharply with the heavy revelations they'd just shared.
Meisha bowed her head and blessed her food in the Emberwynn tongue — the soft, melodic syllables drifting across the table like a forgotten lullaby.
Thalorian's head lifted slightly. "You speak the Emberwynn tongue?"
Meisha looked up from her plate, bewildered. "The Emberwynn tongue?"
Daman answered for her, his voice gentle. "Alyra only taught her some phrases. She didn't get the chance to teach her the full dialect."
Thalorian nodded, understanding settling in his expression.
As the others began eating, Meisha followed Sienna's instruction and took her time. She fed herself small, careful bites, savoring each flavor. Her anxiety — usually quick to flare — remained quiet, soothed by the warmth of the room and the presence of those around her.
The presence of the three men didn't seem to overwhelm her too much.
Kaydence ate his meal, but his attention drifted to her often. He watched the pace of her bites. The steadiness of her breathing. The way her shoulders relaxed instead of tensing.
He took mental note of every detail, ensuring she had eaten enough to regain her strength.
Silence settled over the four of them as they filled their bellies — not uncomfortable, but reflective.
Meisha finished first. She gently pushed her plate away.
All three men glanced at her place setting.
And all three were quietly relieved.
She hadn't finished everything — but she had eaten far more than she managed at midday meal. Enough to calm their worry.
She sat in silence as her father, Kaydence, and Thalorian finished their plates. During the wait, her thoughts drifted back to what Thalorian had revealed.
I erupted a flame that engulfed just Kaydence and me…Is that why I feel these sudden urges toward him?Or is it just me?
Her gaze slid toward Kaydence.
He was striking — painfully so.
His skin tone reminds me of storm clouds…
Now, seeing him in his noble garb, adorned in ceremonial jewelry, he looked even more breathtaking. Regal. Powerful. Beautiful in a way that made her chest tighten.
The men finished their meals, and Thalorian called for the servants. They entered swiftly, clearing the dishes and restoring the study to its original order.
The study had settled into a calm quiet, the remnants of dinner cleared away, the lamplight softening the edges of the room. Meisha sat with her hands folded in her lap, her thoughts swirling like embers in a breeze.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"Um… Lord Thalorian, sir?"
Thalorian looked over at her immediately.
"Call me Thalorian, child. We're practically family in a way." His expression softened. "Is there something on your mind?"
Meisha nodded nervously. "Yes."
Thalorian gave her a warm, encouraging smile. "Let's hear it then."
Meisha met his eyes. "You mentioned the Emberwynn tongue. Kaydence was surprised when he heard it from me as well. He also mentioned that you know of a man who speaks it. Could you tell me about it?"
Thalorian's expression shifted — not cold, but thoughtful.
"I do," he said. "But as the day grows later, I feel your father would agree with that, that discussion is best saved for another time."
Daman nodded in agreement. "Meisha, that discussion will take us late into the hour."
"Okay, Father," she said softly.
Daman leaned forward slightly. "You will learn of your heritage. But for now… is there anything about the Hennis men you feel comfortable sharing? It will help us greatly."
Meisha took a moment, searching through fifteen years of captivity for anything useful. A memory surfaced.
"Papa… did you have any knowledge of Lord Varrick asking for Mother's hand in marriage?"
Daman's brows furrowed. "No. He was in love with Alyra?"
"Are you sure?" Thalorian asked.
Kaydence listened intently as Meisha nodded.
"Anytime he got upset with me, he would curse your name," she said to Daman. "He'd go on about how Mom turned him down to be the wife of a farmer. How she could have been worshipped and revered if she had married him."
Thalorian scoffed. "Tch. Typical. It all makes sense now."
Daman turned to him. "What makes sense?"
Thalorian shifted slightly in his chair. "Remember back in our Adventure's University days, how we would always see him at the same time we were on the training grounds?"
Daman's eyes widened with recognition. "Yes, I do. We confronted him about it."
Kaydence leaned forward. "What was his excuse when you confronted him?"
"That he was just in awe of watching us train," Daman replied.
"More in awe of watching Alyra," Thalorian added. "We even invited him to train with us, and he would always decline."
Kaydence frowned. "But that doesn't explain why he would plot to have her killed. If he was in love with her."
He turned to Meisha. "Is there anything else you can tell us that would help my father's investigation?"
Meisha tapped her index finger against her chin, thinking. "Yes. I overheard bits and pieces of Duke Hennis and Lord Varrick's last conversation."
Kaydence nodded. "I heard parts of that discussion as well."
"Well… what was said?" Daman asked.
Kaydence looked to Meisha, silently asking if she wanted to speak. She nodded for him to continue.
Kaydence turned back to the fathers.
"From what I could hear, Duke Noren was upset with his son Varrick that Meisha was not with child yet."
Thalorian leaned back, clasping his hands. "So the Hennis family wants to secure a powerful heir in their bloodline."
Daman pinched the bridge of his nose. "Always a quest for power, instead of building that power from within."
"It seems so," Thalorian agreed. "They couldn't secure Alyra, so the next best option was her daughter — who carries the same bloodline."
"Which would explain why Meisha's birth wasn't on record," Daman added.
Meisha and Kaydence both perked up.
"Papa? What do you mean my birth isn't on record?"
"Thalorian informed me that your birth isn't on record," Daman said gently. "And we believe the Hennis family is involved somehow. But we'll need proof."
Kaydence looked at his father. "Father? You didn't tell me this when I came to your office last night."
Thalorian sighed. "Kaydence… with everything that happened, do you think this mind of mine could remember every detail without sitting down to write the report?"
Kaydence softened. "You're right, Father. And you had just returned from meeting with the king."
"Yes," Thalorian said. "But you know now."
Meisha gave a small yawn — one her father immediately noticed.
"Little flame," he said gently, "we can finish this discussion another time. Let's get you escorted back to your quarters so you can prepare for bed."
He rose from his seat.
"Papa, but I have more questions…" Meisha whined softly as Thalorian and Kaydence stood as well.
Kaydence walked over, placing his hand over hers, guiding her to stand.
"You can ask as many questions as you want after you've had a full night's rest. It's getting late."
With Kaydence's soft words gave in.
"Here I come, Father," she said, dragging her feet a little as she walked toward him.
But as she passed Kaydence, she felt his strong-arm snake around her waist, pulling her close.
He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.
"I'll come by your quarters later… to see if you need company."
His voice was deep, soft, and impossibly caring.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.
A wave of heat flushed through Meisha's body, a tingling warmth spreading from her chest to her fingertips. All she could do was nod.
"I'll have you go first," Kaydence murmured. "Get some bonding time with Master Zekiel. I'm going to prepare for bed. I'll see you soon."
He released her, and Meisha resumed her stride toward her father — though her legs felt strangely light beneath her.
Daman escorted Meisha through the dimly lit corridor, the soft glow of wall sconces casting long shadows along the stone floor. The castle was quiet at this hour — servants retired, nobles tucked away, the world settling into stillness.
Meisha walked beside her father, her shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her mind still buzzing with everything she'd learned.
After a few steps, she broke the silence.
"Papa… has Mother ever erupted a surge of magic like I did in the caravan?"
Daman's stride slowed as he searched his memory. His brows furrowed, then softened as a distant recollection surfaced.
"There was a time," he said quietly. "Thalorian, Alyra, and I encountered a mythical grand beast in a dungeon we were exploring. It was the floor boss — a minotaur. And it was the first beast we faced where we truly didn't think we'd make it out."
Meisha's eyes widened. "Why?"
Daman exhaled, the memory vivid.
"The minotaur managed to get Thalorian down. He was our tank — our shield. With him down, we were without our defense."
"So… how did you all make it out?" Meisha asked, leaning closer, fully invested.
"The minotaur charged at your mother," Daman said, "but I took the blow in the nick of time. I used my sword to slice the same horn he impaled me with. Seeing me like that… it unlocked something in her."
"What happened after?" Meisha asked, her voice soft with anticipation.
"The minotaur geared up to charge again," Daman continued, "but even with his horn still in me, I stood my ground to defend her. She wanted to lend me her power. I told her no. I told her to focus on keeping me from losing consciousness from bleeding out."
He paused, his steps slowing as he relived the moment.
"She did just that. A whirlwind of flames encased around your mother and me. And when the minotaur charged again, I hit him with a newly discovered power - celestial radiance — it sliced him in two — and we made it out of the dungeon."
Meisha blinked. "So, Mother used her flame to heal you?"
Daman nodded. "Yes."
"Did it hurt?" she asked.
"No," he replied simply.
Meisha hesitated, then asked another question. "Did she act strange toward you once you all got back? Or a couple of days later?"
Her questions came one after another, rapid and earnest.
Daman paused mid‑stride, turning slightly toward his daughter. The torchlight along the corridor flickered across his features, softening the stern lines of his face.
"Slow down, little flame," he said with a soft chuckle. "What's with the bombardment of questions all of a sudden?"
Meisha slowed her steps too, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her shawl. She didn't answer right away. Her thoughts were a tangled knot — Kaydence's voice in her ear, the warmth of his arm around her waist, the kiss on her temple still tingling on her skin.
She swallowed.
"I just…" she began, then stopped, unsure how to shape the truth.
Daman watched her with patient eyes — the same eyes that had watched her take her first steps, the same eyes that had mourned her for fifteen years.
He softened even more.
"Little flame," he said quietly, "you can ask me anything. But you're asking about your mother's magic… and how she behaved afterward. That tells me something else is stirring in that mind of yours."
Meisha's cheeks warmed. She looked away, suddenly fascinated by the stone floor beneath her feet.
Daman let out a soft breath — not frustrated, but understanding.
"Is this about Kaydence?" he asked gently.
Meisha's head snapped up, eyes wide.
Her father chuckled under his breath. "I thought so."
They resumed walking, slower now, the corridor stretching ahead of them like a calm river.
"You don't have to tell me everything tonight," Daman said. "But I will tell you this — your mother's flame reacted to protect what she cherished. And sometimes… magic reveals truths before the heart is ready to admit them."
Meisha's breath caught.
Daman continued, his voice warm and steady.
"If your flame reacted around Kaydence… if it chose him in that moment… that is not something to fear. It is something to understand."
They reached the door to her quarters.
Daman placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Rest, little flame. Your heart has been through enough today. Tomorrow, we can talk more — about your mother, your magic, and anything else weighing on you."
Meisha nodded, her voice soft.
"Yes, Papa."
He kissed the top of her head — a gesture he hadn't been able to give her for fifteen long years — and opened the door for her.
Inside, the room was warm, lit by a single lantern. Safe.
As she stepped inside, Meisha felt her heart flutter again — Kaydence's promise echoing in her mind.
"I'll come by your quarters later… to see if you need company."
And she knew sleep would not come easily.