A LOVE SEALED IN FIRE AND ASH

The battlefield was still soaked in blood, the scent of death lingering in the cold night air. But inside Evermere Manor, a fire burned warmly, casting golden light over the chamber where Xander and Ella sat in silence.

Xander had bathed and changed, his wounds tended to, but the war still clung to him, in his eyes, in the tension in his muscles.

Ella sat across from him, watching. She saw past the armor he still wore, past the cold, ruthless warrior the world had made him. She saw the man who had chosen love over vengeance.

He had won. But did he know what to do with peace?

"You're quiet," she murmured.

Xander's gaze lifted to hers, and for a long moment, he simply looked at her. As if memorizing every inch of her face, as if grounding himself in her presence.

Then, finally, he spoke. "I don't know what comes next."

Ella reached across the space between them, taking his hand in hers. "Then let's figure it out together."

A slow exhale escaped him, and something in his chest loosened.

She was right. For the first time in his life, he wasn't alone.

The next morning, Xander stood before the people of Evermere, his expression unreadable as the crowd gathered before the steps of the manor.

Luca stood beside him. "They're waiting for you to speak."

Xander's gaze swept over the sea of faces of men and women who had fought for him, who had lost loved ones for him, who now looked to him for guidance.

For leadership.

He had spent his whole life running from his father's legacy. Now, he had built his own.

Xander stepped forward, his voice steady as he spoke.

"This town has suffered for too long. Under my father. Under Edmund. Under war."

Silence hung heavy in the air.

"No more."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"We rebuild. Together." Xander's jaw clenched. "No more ruling through fear. No more bloodshed. Evermere will rise again, not as a kingdom of war, but as a home."

The murmurs turned to cheers.

Xander let out a slow breath. The battle was won, but his true work was only just beginning.

That night, Xander found Ella in the garden, standing beneath the silver glow of the moon.

She turned when she heard his footsteps, her smile soft. "How does it feel? To be free?"

Xander stepped closer, brushing a stray curl from her face. "I think I still don't understand what that means."

Ella's gaze searched his. "Then let me show you."

She took his hand and guided him toward the manor.

The moment they stepped inside, Xander pressed her against the door, his lips capturing hers with a desperation that stole her breath.

Ella gasped into the kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair as his hands roamed her body.

There was no hesitation, no distance between them now. Only heat and longing.

Xander lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to their bed. His touch was reverent, yet filled with unrestrained hunger.

As he laid her down, Xander whispered against her skin, "You are my home, Ella."

She pulled him closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Then stay."

And that night, beneath the soft glow of candlelight, Xander and Ella truly became one.

Not out of desperation,

Not out of war,

But out of love.