Taishabrice

Kael Veyne was never meant to be a survivor.

She was born into a noble house of warriors, raised among the powerful, destined for a future she never had the chance to claim. When her family was massacred, she was left for dead—a nameless ghost in a world that erased her.

But Kael survived.

Buried in the underground city of Ravaryn, she became a fighter, a hunter, a blade in the dark. She wanted nothing more than to forget the past—until a cocky, insufferable outsider shattered her world.

Riven Dain is hiding something. Beneath his charm and arrogance lies a man with too many secrets, a man with ties to the same noble house that destroyed Kael’s life. He claims to be nothing more than a traveler, but when warlords start hunting him, Kael knows better.

Now, unwillingly bound together by fate and betrayal, Kael and Riven must leave the shadows behind.

The world above is waiting.
The past refuses to stay buried.
And Kael Veyne is done being forgotten.

Because the blood in her veins was never meant to be wasted in exile.

It was meant to rule.

Crowned in Shadows.

Kael wasn't sure if she liked this place.

It smelled like ale, sweat, and bad decisions.

The air was thick with laughter and shouting, wooden tables filled with mercenaries, fighters, and people who looked like they hadn't seen a bath in weeks. The pub was alive, filled with the clash of tankards, the sharp scent of roasted meat, and the occasional brawl in the corner.

"Ah," Riven sighed happily, stretching his arms. "Now this is a welcome sight."

Jorrik rolled his eyes. "You would like this place."

Riven grinned. "It's loud, the drinks are strong, and there's a fifty-fifty chance I'll get punched before the night is over. What's not to love?"

She was too busy scanning the room, taking in the exits, the people, the potential threats.

They made their way through the packed pub, pushing past a particularly drunk mercenary who was attempting to arm-wrestle himself.

Kael sat first, sliding into a seat near the back, where she could see everything.

Riven sat beside her with too much ease, leaning back like he owned the place.

Jorrik took the seat across from them and groaned. "Gods, my back hurts."

Kael arched an eyebrow. "From what?"

Jorrik waved a hand. "Carrying the weight of responsibility for you two idiots."

Riven snorted. "That's funny, considering I distinctly remember saving your sorry ass from getting eaten underground."

Jorrik pointed a finger at him. "That was one time."

She wasn't used to places like this.

She had spent years surviving, hunting, fighting—but never just sitting.

The idea of stopping felt... unnatural.

She let out a slow breath, leaning back in her chair, her fingers brushing over her new bow beside her.

It still felt strange in her hands. Too new. Too perfect.

Too much like something she didn't deserve.

Riven's voice pulled her back. "You look like you're about to kill someone."

Kael blinked, realizing she had been staring at the table too long.

Riven grinned. "Dangerous. Don't hurt yourself."

Kael shot him a look. "If I was going to hurt anyone, it'd be you."

Jorrik lifted a hand. "Can we not stab each other at the dinner table? At least wait until after the food arrives."

Kael exhaled sharply and looked around for a serving girl.

A woman sauntered over, setting down three tankards of ale without asking. "Food?"

Riven beamed at her. "Yes, please. Whatever's hot and preferably dead."

The serving girl just shrugged. "Sure." She turned and walked off.

Kael shook her head. "You could have just said 'the special.'"

Riven leaned forward, smirking. "Where's the fun in that?"

She wasn't about to drink something that hadn't been poured in front of her.

Jorrik lifted his tankard and sniffed it. "Smells strong."

Riven lifted his own. "Only one way to find out."

Kael sighed. "If you wake up in a ditch tomorrow, I'm not dragging your body anywhere."

Riven winked. "Sweetheart, if I wake up in a ditch, it'll be because I had a good time."

Jorrik groaned. "Why do I travel with you?"

Riven grinned. "Because without me, you'd be stuck babysitting only one angry, reckless warrior instead of two."

Jorrik took a long sip of his drink. "That's fair."

Kael let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of everything she had learned pressing against her.

She had spent years fighting to survive.

She was fighting for something bigger.

But just for tonight—just for this one moment—she let herself sit in this loud, messy, chaotic place and pretend the world wasn't waiting for her outside.

Chapter 21: A Moment to Breathe