Kael
The cool morning wind whipped across the balcony, but the cold air wasn't enough to ease the storm raging inside me. Below, the eastern courtyard lay silent and empty.
Everyone avoided this part of the compound, and as much as I knew it was for the best, I still missed when the warriors would train in the courtyard below or when the servants roamed around, whispering and gossiping amongst themselves.
I rested my hands on the cold stone railing. Even now, after scrubbing them raw, I could still smell the coppery, rotten smell of blood that was permanent on them.
My hands, my kingdom, my soul, all of it felt stained.
And with the arrival of this omega and her child, everything felt worse.
I hated her. I hated the cloying, sweet scent that now clung to the castle halls and followed me everywhere I went.
"Kael, the council elders are gathered in the War Chambers. It's time for our meeting," Silas called from the door, breaking me out of my thoughts.
