Chapter 32

The days following Kael's departure were marked by a sense of quiet that seemed almost unnatural. The usual bustle of the palace felt subdued, the soldiers moved with a heaviness in their steps, and the city of Verran itself seemed to be holding its breath.

Seraphina threw herself into her duties, trying to keep the kingdom running smoothly and preparing for the inevitable return of the Shadowborn. But no matter how much work she did, a hollow ache remained in her chest.

Kael's absence was like a wound, fresh and raw, that refused to heal. Every time she entered a room, every time she turned a corner, she half-expected to see him there, to feel his presence beside her. But he was gone, back to Draven, and with him, the fragile connection they had shared.

The council continued its investigation, though the lack of progress only deepened the rift that had formed. The conflicting reports had left them at an impasse, and without Kael in Verran, it was difficult to gather more information. The shadow of doubt hung over the entire kingdom, and the tension among the leaders was palpable. Seraphina could feel it in every meeting, in every conversation. It was as if the very fabric of their alliance was beginning to fray, and she didn't know how to stop it.

One morning, as the first light of dawn filtered through the palace windows, Seraphina found herself standing in the war room, staring at the map of Verran and the surrounding territories. The map was marked with various notes and symbols, representing troop movements, supply lines, and potential areas of attack. But today, it felt like a tangle of lines and arrows that offered no clear path forward.

She traced a finger along the border between Verran and Draven, her thoughts drifting to Kael. What was he doing now? Was he thinking of her, of what had passed between them? Or was he already turning his attention back to Draven, leaving Verran and its troubles behind?

The door to the war room creaked open, and Seraphina turned to see Lord Corwin entering, his expression serious. He bowed slightly as he approached the table.

"Your Highness," he began, his tone formal. "I have news from the scouts."

Seraphina straightened, pushing her thoughts of Kael aside. "What is it?"

"The Shadowborn have been spotted near the eastern border," Lord Corwin said, his voice grim. "It appears they're gathering for another assault. Their numbers are greater than before, and they're moving quickly. We estimate they'll reach our defenses within a matter of days."

Seraphina's heart sank at the news. She had known the Shadowborn would return, but the thought of facing them again, especially without Kael by her side, filled her with dread. "How many troops do we have in the area?"

"Not enough," Lord Corwin admitted. "We've already sent word to reinforce the eastern border, but it will take time for the additional troops to arrive. We may need to consider a more aggressive strategy-something that will disrupt their movements before they can reach our defenses."

Seraphina nodded, her mind racing. "We could send a small force to engage them on the road, slow them down. It would buy us time to strengthen our defenses."

Lord Corwin frowned, clearly wary of the idea. "It's a risky move, Your Highness. We'd be sending our soldiers into the thick of enemy territory with limited support. If they're overwhelmed-"

"They won't be," Seraphina said, cutting him off. "We don't have a choice, Corwin. If we let the Shadowborn reach our borders unchallenged, they'll break through. We can't afford to sit back and wait for them to come to us. We need to take the fight to them."

Lord Corwin studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I'll begin preparations immediately. But you should know, Your Highness-this decision will have consequences. We'll be putting our soldiers in harm's way, and if something goes wrong..."

"I know the risks," Seraphina said quietly. "But we can't let fear paralyze us. We have to act, and we have to act now."

Lord Corwin nodded again, his expression resigned. "As you wish, Your Highness."

He turned to leave, but Seraphina called after him. "Corwin... Thank you. For everything."

He paused, turning back to her with a small, tired smile. "We're all doing our best, Your Highness. Let's just hope it's enough."

With that, he left the room, leaving Seraphina alone once more. She returned her gaze to the map, her thoughts heavy. The decision to send troops into enemy territory was not one she had made lightly, but it felt like the only option they had left. The Shadowborn were relentless, and if they weren't stopped, Verran would fall.

As she stood there, lost in thought, the door opened again, and Lady Elara entered, her expression troubled. Seraphina glanced at her, raising an eyebrow in question.

"Your Highness," Lady Elara began, her voice hesitant. "I've just received word from Draven. It's about Prince Kael."

Seraphina's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. "What is it? Is he all right?"

Lady Elara hesitated, then nodded. "He's fine, physically. But... it seems there's been unrest in Draven since his return. Some of the nobles are questioning his decision to stay in Verran for so long, and there are rumors that he's been weakened by his time here."

Seraphina felt a pang of guilt at the news. She knew how precarious Kael's position in Draven was, how carefully he had to balance his loyalties. By sending him away, she had hoped to ease the tension in Verran, but it seemed she had only created new problems for him in his own kingdom.

"Is he in danger?" she asked, her voice tight with concern.

Lady Elara shook her head. "Not yet. But the situation is volatile. If the unrest continues, it could lead to a power struggle, one that could weaken Draven's ability to support us in this war."

Seraphina turned away, staring out the window at the darkening sky. The decision to send Kael away had felt like the right one at the time, a necessary step to protect Verran. But now, she wasn't so sure. The consequences of her actions were rippling out, affecting more than just her and Kael-they were affecting entire kingdoms, entire peoples.

"Is there anything we can do?" Seraphina asked, though she already knew the answer.

Lady Elara sighed. "We can send word, offer our support. But ultimately, this is a matter for Draven to resolve. All we can do is hope that Prince Kael can navigate the situation without losing his position."

Seraphina nodded, though the feeling of helplessness gnawed at her. She had wanted to protect Verran, to ensure its safety, but in doing so, she had put Kael in a precarious position. The thought of him facing these challenges alone, without her by his side, filled her with a deep sense of regret.

"Thank you for letting me know," she said quietly. "Keep me informed of any developments."

Lady Elara bowed her head. "Of course, Your Highness."

As she left the room, Seraphina remained by the window, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and fear. The situation in Draven was just one more problem in a growing list, and she didn't know how much more she could handle. The weight of her responsibilities felt heavier than ever, and the knowledge that her decisions had far-reaching consequences made it difficult to find any peace.

As the night deepened, Seraphina made her way to her chambers, her steps slow and heavy. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, but sleep felt like an impossibility. The thought of Kael, alone in Draven, facing unrest and uncertainty, plagued her mind. She wished she could reach out to him, offer some kind of support, but she knew that any communication could be seen as a sign of weakness, both for her and for him.

When she reached her chambers, she collapsed onto the bed, her body aching with fatigue. She stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of the war, of Kael, of the choices she had made. The silence of the room was oppressive, and she longed for the comfort of Kael's presence, the warmth of his touch, the reassurance of his voice.

But he was gone, and she was alone.