Letting go terrified Kael more than dying ever had.
If he released control and the world failed, the blame would be his alone. There would be no gods to shoulder the guilt. No hunger to excuse the outcome.
Only choice.
Only consequence.
Ilyra met his gaze steadily. "Guardianship isn't eternal vigilance," she said. "It's knowing when to step back."
Kael closed his eyes.
For centuries, he had endured so the world could live.
Now the world asked him to trust it.