"Even kings must kneel before the ones who hold their hearts."
I turned back toward the tunnel leading to the innermost chamber. The transition felt like stripping layers of frozen iron. Outside, I was the weapon, the shield, the King. Inside, I was simply Alaric, the mate, the father. I moved through the tunnel complex, the silence of the ancient rock welcoming me back, and the oppressive cold of the mountain gave way to the soft, intoxicating warmth of Crownspice, the profound, sweet scent of Elias and our newly solidified Bond. It washed over me, a physical balm to the exhaustion that finally dared to claim me.
