Chapter 30: A Kingdom Rekindled

The sun rose gently over the hills of Eldoria, casting golden light over the ruins that were slowly being rebuilt. Flowers bloomed where ash once lay, and laughter echoed where silence had ruled.

In the heart of the castle gardens, Seraphina stood in a white gown, her hair braided with silver vines. She gazed out at the fountain, her reflection calm—older, wiser, and radiant.

Behind her, footsteps approached.

"You always find the prettiest places to hide," Cassian said, stepping beside her.

She smiled. "And you always find me."

He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "That's because I never stop looking."

There was a silence—gentle and full.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly.

"You've said that three times this morning," she teased.

"Because it's true." He took her hand. "And because I almost lost the chance to say it."

Her gaze softened. "Cassian… when I thought you might die—my heart nearly stopped."

"I'm not going anywhere, Seraphina. Not now. Not ever."

Her eyes shimmered. "Do you remember what you said to me in the cave?"

He grinned. "Something heroic, I'm sure."

"You said you'd help me every step of the way."

He stepped closer, his hand resting gently on her waist. "And I meant it."

She looked up at him, heart thudding. "Then help me now."

He leaned down, brushing his forehead to hers. "With what?"

"With this…" she whispered, and kissed him.

It was soft at first—warm and steady—but quickly deepened, years of unsaid words pouring through it. Cassian's hand cupped her cheek, her fingers curled into his cloak.

When they parted, barely an inch between them, she said, "You were the one who kept my fire from burning me."

"And you were the light that pulled me out of the dark," he replied.

They stood like that, wrapped in each other, until a bell rang in the distance—the coronation.

Cassian smiled. "Shall we, my queen?"

She laughed, the sound like music. "Only if you're by my side."

They walked together into the grand hall, hand in hand. The people of Eldoria cheered as Seraphina ascended the steps, her crown placed gently on her head.

But her eyes were only on one man.

Cassian bowed with a smile, then whispered, "Long live the queen."

She grinned. "Long live us."

And so, the Lightbearer and her knight ruled not through power, but through hope, love, and flame.

Together, they lit a future that would never dim.

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The End.