As night fell over the kingdom, Ember found herself restless, the day's events replaying in her mind. They had successfully bound the shadows, but Ember couldn't shake the feeling that the battle was far from over.
"Ember?" Alaric's voice broke through her thoughts as he stepped into her chambers. His expression was somber, and she could sense the weight of his emotions. "Can we talk?"
"Of course," Ember replied, motioning for him to sit. "What's on your mind?"
Alaric took a deep breath, his gaze distant. "I've been thinking a lot about what happened with the shadows. I never wanted to be a part of that darkness, but I let my desires cloud my judgment."
Ember's heart ached for him. "You're not alone in this, Alaric. We all have our struggles. The shadows preyed on your fears and insecurities."
"I know," he said, his voice filled with regret. "But I can't help but feel responsible. What if they come back? What if they target one of you next time?"
