45: The Confession

After a grueling ride through the rain-soaked countryside, Alina and Mara arrived at the eastern barracks. The battle was already raging, the sounds of clashing swords and the cries of the wounded filling the air.

Alina found Kael in the midst of the chaos, his sword flashing as he cut down the rebels who surrounded him. She rode up to him, her voice hoarse from shouting over the din. "Kael! It's Cedric! He's the traitor!"

Kael's eyes widened, but there was no time for questions. Together, they fought their way to the heart of the battle, where Cedric was commanding the rebel forces. The look of shock on Cedric's face when he saw Alina alive was priceless.

With Kael by her side, Alina confronted the traitor. "You will pay for your betrayal," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.

As Cedric was dragged away by Kael's soldiers, the battle began to turn in their favor. The rebels, seeing their leader captured, faltered and were soon overwhelmed.

When the dust settled, Kael turned to Alina, his eyes filled with something she had never seen before—gratitude. "You saved us," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I did not think it possible, but... I was wrong about you."

Alina's heart swelled, but she kept her voice steady. "Perhaps it's time you started trusting me, Kael. We are stronger together than apart."

Kael reached for her hand, pulling her close. For the first time, the walls between them seemed to crumble completely. But as they stood there amidst the ruins of the battlefield, they both knew that the greatest challenge was yet to come.