Chapter 6

The sky was an angry, roiling mass of dark clouds as Kael rode toward the Verran border. The wind whipped at his cloak, a bitter chill that cut through even the thick fabric of his armor. He had spent the last few days preparing for this moment, knowing that once he crossed into enemy territory, there would be no turning back.

He was accompanied by a small contingent of his most trusted soldiers, their faces grim and determined. They rode in silence, the only sound the rhythmic thud of hooves against the earth and the distant rumble of thunder. Kael's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but his face remained a mask of cold indifference.

He had received Seraphina's message, her demand that he come to Verran himself. It had been a calculated move on her part, a test of his resolve. And while it had infuriated him, he couldn't help but respect her for it. She was no coward, that much was clear. She was a warrior, just as he was, and she knew how to play the game of power.

But that didn't mean he was going to make this easy for her.

Kael tightened his grip on the reins, his jaw clenched in frustration. He hated this—hated that he had to lower himself to negotiating with the enemy, that he had to rely on someone like Seraphina to achieve his goals. But the Shadowborn were a threat that couldn't be ignored, and he knew that if they didn't work together, they would all be dead before long.

Still, the thought of meeting her face to face filled him with a simmering rage. She was the embodiment of everything he despised—arrogant, self-righteous, blinded by her own sense of superiority. And yet, she was also the key to his survival, the one person who could help him stop the darkness that was creeping across the land.

As they approached the border, Kael signaled for his men to halt. The Verran watchtowers loomed ahead, their banners fluttering in the wind. He could see the silhouettes of archers on the walls, their bows trained on him and his men. One wrong move, and they would be pincushions before they could even draw their swords.

Kael dismounted, his boots sinking into the mud as he strode forward, his gaze fixed on the gates of Verran. His men followed suit, their expressions tense but controlled. They had been trained for this, conditioned to face death without flinching. But even they couldn't hide the unease that gnawed at their hearts.

"Open the gates," Kael called out, his voice cold and commanding. "I am Prince Kael of Draven. I come under a banner of truce to speak with Princess Seraphina."

There was a moment of silence, then a creaking sound as the gates slowly swung open. Kael could see the Verran soldiers waiting on the other side, their weapons at the ready. He forced himself to remain calm, to push down the anger that threatened to boil over.

This was not the time for bloodshed. Not yet.

Kael walked through the gates, his men close behind him. The Verran soldiers watched them warily, their eyes filled with suspicion and hatred. Kael could feel the weight of their stares, the unspoken threats that hung in the air like a storm about to break.

He ignored them, his focus solely on the figure waiting at the end of the courtyard.

Seraphina.

She stood tall and proud, her armor gleaming in the dim light. Her dark hair was pulled back into a braid, and her eyes were as sharp as the blade she wore at her side. She was beautiful, in a fierce and untouchable way, like a queen carved from stone.

But Kael wasn't here to admire her.

"Princess," Kael said, inclining his head ever so slightly. "I've come as you requested."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. "And what took you so long, Prince Kael? Were you afraid to step foot in Verran without an army at your back?"

Kael's lips twisted into a smirk. "Hardly. I simply had to ensure that my kingdom would not fall apart in my absence. Unlike you, I have responsibilities that extend beyond indulging my whims."

Seraphina's gaze hardened, but she didn't rise to the bait. "We don't have time for games, Kael. The Shadowborn are rising, and if we don't act now, there won't be a kingdom left for either of us to rule."

"Then let's stop wasting time," Kael replied, his tone growing more serious. "You wanted to meet face to face, so here I am. What's your plan?"

Seraphina glanced at the Verran soldiers around them, then nodded to one of her commanders. "Clear the courtyard. I want to speak with Prince Kael alone."

The commander hesitated for a moment, then nodded and began barking orders. The soldiers filed out, leaving Seraphina and Kael standing alone in the center of the courtyard, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife.

Once they were alone, Seraphina stepped closer, her eyes locked on Kael's. "I know you don't trust me," she said, her voice low but firm. "And I don't trust you. But the truth is, we don't have a choice. The Shadowborn are coming, and we're the only ones who can stop them."

Kael crossed his arms over his chest, his expression unreadable. "I've heard the prophecy, Seraphina. I know what's at stake. But don't think for a second that I'm going to let my guard down. You and I may be forced to work together, but make no mistake—I'm watching you. And the moment you try to betray me, I'll cut you down myself."

Seraphina's eyes flashed with anger. "You think I'm planning to betray you? I'm the one taking a risk by letting you into my kingdom. You're the one with the reputation for treachery, Kael. How do I know you're not here to stab me in the back?"

Kael took a step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Because if I wanted you dead, Seraphina, you wouldn't have seen me coming."

For a moment, they stood there, glaring at each other, the tension crackling between them like a live wire. Kael could feel his pulse quickening, the rush of adrenaline that always accompanied a confrontation. But there was something else too, something darker and more primal that stirred in the pit of his stomach.

He shoved the feeling aside, refusing to let it take root.

Seraphina was the first to break the silence. "We need to put our personal grudges aside, at least for now. The Shadowborn are a threat unlike anything we've ever faced. If we're going to survive this, we need to work together."

Kael studied her for a long moment, weighing her words. He hated the idea of working with her, hated that he had to rely on someone he despised so much. But he knew she was right. The Shadowborn were real, and they were coming. If they didn't join forces, there would be nothing left to fight over.

"Fine," Kael said at last, his tone grudging. "But don't think for a second that this makes us allies. This is a temporary arrangement, nothing more. Once the Shadowborn are dealt with, all bets are off."

Seraphina nodded, her expression hard. "Agreed. But until then, we need to present a united front. Our people are looking to us for guidance. If they see us divided, it will only make things worse."

Kael's eyes narrowed. "You think I care about what your people think?"

"I think you care about winning," Seraphina shot back. "And right now, the only way to win is to work together."

Kael couldn't argue with that. As much as he despised Seraphina, he knew she was a formidable opponent, one who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. And in a twisted way, that was something he could respect.

"Very well," he said, his voice cold. "What do you propose?"

Seraphina took a deep breath, her gaze steady. "We need to combine our forces, pool our resources. My scouts have identified several key locations where the Shadowborn are likely to strike first. We need to fortify those areas, prepare our soldiers for the kind of enemy they've never faced before."

Kael nodded slowly. "And what about the prophecy? The part about our bloodlines?"

Seraphina's jaw tightened. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, our priority is survival."

Kael couldn't help but smirk. "You're afraid."

"Of you?" Seraphina scoffed. "Hardly. But I know better than to trust a prophecy blindly. I've seen too many lives destroyed by half-truths and riddles."

Kael's smile faded. "Then we agree on that, at least."

They stood there for a moment longer, the wind howling around them, as if the storm in the sky was reflecting the storm within their hearts. Kael felt a strange sense of unease, a nagging feeling that this alliance was far more dangerous than any battle he had ever fought.

"Let's get this over with," Seraphina said, turning to leave. "I'll have my commanders meet with yours to discuss the specifics."

Kael watched her go, his mind churning with conflicting emotions. He hated her, desp ised everything she stood for. And yet, there was a part of him that couldn't help but admire her strength, her determination. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, a woman who had been forged in the fires of war, just as he had.

But that didn't mean he trusted her. Not for a second.