Kael stood in the middle of ruin.
His Unbreakable Marshal—his masterpiece, his proof that every smug elder in the Runeward Chapter had underestimated him—lay in smoking chunks across the cliffside courtyard.
Broken stone limbs.
Twisted rune plates.
Splintered joints.
And at the center of it all, the shattered remains of the fire-lion core he had spent years hunting materials to build around.
Gone.
Utterly gone.
The wind howled through the mountain pass and stirred ash across his boots.
Kael stared at the wreckage with wet eyes and trembling lips, looking like a boy watching his home burn down.
Across from him, Archon Velda of the Hearthpeak smiled like a grandmother who had seen every kind of disaster mortal children could invent.
"Well then, good child," she said warmly. "What's your name?"
Kael stiffened.
Even in misery, etiquette mattered when speaking to someone who could likely erase him from existence with a glance.
He bowed deeply.
"This junior is Kael Ashvane, Elder."
Lyra Farrow, standing nearby beside her azure phoenix mount, visibly flinched.
It was slight.
Most would have missed it.
Kael didn't.
Her perfect face shifted with something strange—shock... confusion... maybe pain.
"Kael..." she murmured under her breath.
Then quieter:
"Ashvane..."
Her eyes narrowed as if chasing a ghost through memory.
"No... impossible…"
Kael blinked.
What in the hells was that supposed to mean?
Before he could ask, Elder Velda chuckled.
"Kael, listen to your grandmother for a moment."
Kael immediately regretted every stupid thing he had screamed earlier.
Especially the part where he'd accused Lyra of destroying his future.
Velda gestured toward the scattered remains.
"That stone beast had begun slipping toward corruption. Even if it had survived today, it would've killed you eventually."
Kael looked sick.
Velda continued gently.
"What's broken can be rebuilt. Materials can be gathered again."
Then she pointed toward Lyra.
"And do you understand who this woman is?"
Kael slowly turned.
Lyra was deliberately looking anywhere except him.
"She is one of the finest artificers in the Ascendant Covenant. One of the greatest masters of mechanism craft alive."
Velda smiled wider.
"If she chose to guide you, building something ten times stronger than that wreck wouldn't be difficult."
Kael's face turned red.
He looked at Lyra with the awkward desperation of a man trying to crawl backward into his own dignity.
"Shreve Lyra... earlier I may have spoken with... minor emotional instability."
Lyra rolled her eyes.
"Minor?"
Kael coughed.
"I was under stress."
"You tackled me off a cliff."
"I believed I was saving your life."
"You groped my chest."
Kael nearly died on the spot.
"That part was accidental."
Her lips twitched.
Was that amusement?
He couldn't tell.
Then she turned away completely.
Kael wanted the mountain to collapse on him.
Instead, he burst into tears.
Actual tears.
He dropped to his knees beside the remains of his construct and clutched a broken arm segment.
"My Marshal…"
Mira inhaled sharply behind him.
"I still don't understand what Shreve Lyra used." She stared at the destruction. "There's barely anything left to salvage."
Sylva folded her arms.
"If that was truly Shreve Lyra Farrow, then it had to be the Violet Aurochs Pin."
Kael looked up miserably.
"The what?"
"A divine weapon," Sylva said. "Forged from the horn of an ancient violet aurochs hunted by the Covenant's founder herself."
She examined the crater.
"It stores storm power."
Her eyes lifted.
"And it can break nearly anything."
Kael began crying harder.
"Wonderful."
Auryn smacked the back of his head.
"Stop bawling."
Kael glared at her through tears.
"You don't understand!"
He pointed violently at the rubble.
"Everything I owned was in that!"
Years of stolen ore.
Rare beast components.
Fire crystal essence.
The fire-lion heart.
All gone.
"I'm broke!" he wailed. "I'm spiritually gifted but financially ruined!"
Sylva sighed.
"When I return from the Celestial Way Conclave, I'll bring you materials."
Kael sniffled.
"Really?"
Auryn nodded.
"I'll help too."
Mira raised her hand timidly.
"Me too."
Kael looked overwhelmed.
Then Selene spoke.
Her voice was quieter.
And far less hostile than usual.
"I've collected several rare materials over the years."
Everyone looked at her.
She crossed her arms and avoided Kael's eyes.
"You can have some."
Kael stared.
Selene huffed.
"And if you still need fire-Spirit hair…"
She muttered the last part.
"I'll help you steal more."
Kael nearly burst into tears again.
"You all truly understand the burden of genius."
Auryn groaned.
"Oh no."
Too late.
Kael launched himself at all four women.
He wrapped arms around waists.
Pressed shamelessly against soft bodies.
And very deliberately enjoyed the experience.
Auryn sighed in total resignation.
She was used to this nonsense.
Sylva merely shook her head.
Mira laughed helplessly.
Selene—
Selene completely froze.
Kael's body pressed against hers.
His arms wrapped around her waist.
His breath touched her neck.
And all she could think about was that kiss.
That sudden, reckless kiss from earlier.
Her body heated instantly.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
And when she felt his hand slide dangerously close to her hip—
she shoved him away hard enough to stagger him backward.
"Control yourself!"
Her face burned crimson.
Kael blinked.
"I was expressing gratitude."
"You were taking liberties!"
"Gratitude can be physical."
Selene looked ready to drown him.
Before she could speak, hurried footsteps interrupted them.
A young maid in green robes rushed toward the group.
Zaeli.
Lady Magister Isara's personal attendant.
"The Magister summons all of you immediately," she said. "Guests are waiting in the Violet Reed Pavilion."
Everyone straightened immediately.
Even Kael.
That meant this was serious.
---
The Violet Reed Pavilion clung to the southeastern cliffs of Vane's Summit.
Half of the structure hung over open air.
Its foundations were carved directly into black stone walls.
Clouds drifted beneath its outer balconies.
It looked less built than forced into existence by lunatics who hated gravity.
Kael followed behind his senior sisters into the grand hall.
Lady Magister Isara sat at the head table.
Her white hair flowed over dark robes like moonlight over obsidian.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Untouchable.
At her side sat Archon Velda.
And beside Velda—
Lyra.
Kael immediately looked at the floor.
He refused to relive his humiliation.
The disciples knelt.
"Greetings, Master."
"Greetings, honored elders."
Isara gave a slight nod.
"This is Archon Velda."
No one needed clarification.
"And this is Shreve Lyra Farrow."
That definitely needed no clarification.
The group bowed again.
Velda laughed.
"No need. We've already met the little firebrand outside."
Kael wished death would arrive swiftly.
Velda sipped tea.
"I've heard your disciples are exceptional, Isara. Why not tell us about them?"
Isara remained expressionless.
"They have talent."
That was apparently the maximum compliment she gave freely.
Lyra leaned forward lazily.
"I'd like details."
Her gaze drifted toward Kael.
Far too often.
Kael noticed.
So did Selene.
And Selene hated it immediately.
Isara gestured toward Auryn.
"My first disciple. Auryn Gale."
Auryn stepped forward.
"Metal affinity. Strongest combat foundation among them. Already serves under the Celestial Way Conclave in field operations."
Velda nodded approvingly.
"She's famous among fourth-generation disciples."
Auryn remained calm.
Isara gestured toward Sylva.
"My second disciple. Sylva Dreyn."
Sylva bowed.
"Wood affinity. Exceptional healing arts. Assists in compiling the Universal Spirits Ranking."
Lyra's brow rose.
"I heard you possess perfect recall."
Sylva smiled politely.
"I simply read obsessively."
Next came Selene.
"This is my third disciple. Selene Voss."
Velda's eyes sharpened.
"Voss?"
Selene bowed.
"Yes, Elder."
"Daughter of Lord Voss?"
"Yes."
Velda exchanged a look with Isara.
That carried political weight.
Kael noticed that much.
Isara continued.
"Water affinity. Fastest learner among my disciples."
Selene glowed with quiet pride.
Then Mira.
"Fourth disciple. Mira Stonwell."
Mira nearly tripped while bowing.
"Earth affinity. Excellent summoning potential."
Velda smiled warmly.
"A diligent child."
Mira nearly fainted from happiness.
Then—
Kael straightened.
This was his moment.
He prepared himself for praise.
Inventive genius.
Future legend.
Master artificer.
Possibly handsome.
Isara looked at him.
Then spoke flatly.
"This is Kael."
Silence.
Kael waited.
Nothing else came.
Finally Isara added:
"He is my youngest disciple."
Pause.
"A fire adept."
That was it.
That was all.
Kael stared in disbelief.
That was his entire introduction?
No mention of his inventions?
No mention of his talent?
No mention of his brilliance?
Just:
This is Kael.
He felt like someone had shoved a blade into his chest.
His sisters received glowing praise.
He got the verbal equivalent of discarded leftovers.
Shame coiled inside him.
Maybe she was right.
Maybe he really was the least impressive among them.
His construct was gone.
He had no money.
No achievements.
No reputation.
He sat through the rest of the conversation in numb silence.
Words blurred together.
Until Selene quietly tugged his sleeve.
Kael blinked back to reality.
She frowned at him.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"You've been dead-eyed for half an hour."
Kael forced a grin.
"I'm planning my next masterpiece."
She rolled her eyes.
"You're hopeless."
Then her expression shifted.
"Listen."
Kael focused.
Isara was speaking.
"I have not left Vane's Summit in years. Why has the Covenant summoned me now?"
Archon Velda set down her tea.
Her smile faded.
"The Covenant leader has assigned two tasks."
The room grew quiet.
"The first concerns the Dread Mire."
Everyone listened.
Velda's voice turned grave.
"Long ago, two kingdoms waged war there."
Kael leaned forward.
"One side slaughtered four hundred thousand surrendered soldiers."
Even Lyra's expression darkened.
"Their hatred never faded."
Velda's gaze sharpened.
"For centuries their dead have poisoned the land."
"Recently," she continued, "the corruption has intensified."
Undead manifestations.
Spiritual disturbances.
Dark anomalies.
"We believe someone may be exploiting that ancient battlefield."
Isara nodded slowly.
"If true, that cannot be ignored."
Then she narrowed her eyes.
"But that alone wouldn't require me."
Velda smiled.
"Correct."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"The second matter concerns Emperor Corvyn."
Selene stiffened.
Her father served the empire.
Kael listened carefully.
He'd heard stories.
Most of them terrible.
Velda spoke with open disgust.
"He renamed himself after ancient conquerors."
"He launched wars before securing his throne."
"He drained the empire dry."
"He filled his palaces with stolen women."
Selene's jaw tightened.
Velda continued coldly.
"He conscripted hundreds of thousands of laborers."
"He builds monuments while his people starve."
Kael muttered:
"So he's exactly what every peasant says nobles become."
Selene kicked him under the table.
Hard.
Kael yelped.
Velda ignored him.
"Normally we would not interfere in mortal politics."
"The last time major Orders involved themselves in imperial conflict…"
Her eyes darkened.
"The Ten-Thousand Ordeal followed."
Silence swallowed the room.
Then she leaned forward.
"This is different."
Isara's expression sharpened.
"How?"
Velda answered slowly.
"Emperor Corvyn is constructing a new city near Aureheim."
Kael frowned.
"A city?"
Velda nodded.
"At its center stands a structure called the Labyrinth Spire."
Lyra went still.
Completely still.
Velda continued.
"The project consumes endless wealth."
"That alone would be his own sin."
Her voice hardened.
"But the structure hides a Formation."
Isara rose halfway from her seat.
"What formation?"
Velda's answer hit like thunder.
"It is siphoning the essence of all nineteen ley-veins across the Mortal Realm."
The room exploded in panic.
"What?!"
"That's impossible!"
"How could one formation do that?"
Kael's stomach dropped.
Even he understood how catastrophic that sounded.
The Dream Nest had already begun weakening.
Ghostlight Moss production had fallen.
No one knew why.
Until now.
Isara's face turned ice cold.
"That explains everything."
Her voice sharpened.
"What formation is capable of such obscenity?"
Velda looked at her.
Then at Lyra.
Then back again.
"The Primal Boundless Array."
Silence.
Isara frowned.
"I've never heard of it."
Velda nodded grimly.
"Few have."
"It was once a cultivation formula."
"Created from an ancient artifact by the Covenant's founder."
"It absorbed the essence of heaven and earth."
Her expression darkened.
"It was eventually converted into a Formation."
"Installed at Phoenixspur."
"Then sealed forever."
"Too dangerous."
"Too predatory."
"It harmed the balance of the world itself."
Kael felt cold sweat roll down his spine.
Who would dare steal such a thing?
Velda exhaled slowly.
"The Covenant leader secretly passed knowledge of that Formation to only one person."
Isara's eyes widened.
Her composure finally cracked.
She already knew the answer.
"A prodigy…"
Velda nodded.
"One unlike any before."
The room held its breath.
And Kael realized everything in his life was about to become far more dangerous.
The room had gone so quiet that Kael could hear the oil in the lanterns crackling.
Then Elder Velda spoke again.
"The woman responsible was once called the Three Supremes."
Her old voice remained calm, but every word carried weight.
"First in martial skill."
"First in Formation craft."
"First in construct-work."
Isara's composure shattered for the first time that night.
"Yvaine Trillance."
Velda gave a slow nod.
"The same."
The air in the chamber turned colder.
Kael glanced between them, suddenly aware that he was hearing the name of someone monsters feared.
Isara's thoughts moved fast behind her pale eyes.
"She vanished after betraying the Covenant," she said. "No one has seen her since."
Her voice sharpened.
"You believe the hidden Formation inside the Labyrinth Spire is hers?"
Velda folded her hands.
"If the Formation truly is the Primal Boundless Array…"
Her eyes hardened.
"Then there is no doubt."
She paused.
Then delivered another blow.
"Emperor Corvyn recently took a new favorite into his palace."
Kael frowned.
"A mistress?"
Velda looked disgusted.
"She calls herself a fallen celestial."
"She claims she descended from the heavens."
"She boasts of divination, mountain-moving arts, and impossible mechanical knowledge."
Auryn cursed under her breath.
Selene's face twisted with disgust.
"That idiot emperor actually believed her?"
Velda gave a humorless smile.
"He worships her."
"He obeys her."
"He built the Labyrinth Spire because she whispered the idea into his ear."
"And according to our sources…"
Her gaze sharpened.
"She personally designed the structure."
Isara rose halfway from her chair.
"Then this so-called palace beauty is almost certainly Yvaine."
Velda nodded once.
"The founder believes the same."
Kael leaned back slowly.
A beautiful woman manipulating an emperor.
A giant magical tower.
A world-draining Formation.
And somehow his life had become tangled in all of it.
Again.
He was getting very tired of beautiful women ruining his peace.
Lyra's lips curved faintly.
Kael immediately looked away.
Velda continued.
"The founder has ordered Isara to travel to Aureheim."
"Investigate in secret."
"If the woman is Yvaine Trillance…"
Her voice dropped.
"Capture her."
"If she is not…"
"Destroy the Formation."
Mira nearly dropped her teacup.
Kael laughed once.
It came out sounding slightly hysterical.
"That's all?"
"Just stroll into the capital and arrest the emperor's favorite?"
"Why not ask us to invade the gods while we're at it?"
Selene kicked him.
Again.
Harder this time.
Kael wheezed.
Velda ignored him.
"Many within the Covenant possess power equal to Isara's."
"But none are suited for this."
Isara narrowed her eyes.
"Why me?"
Velda answered instantly.
"Because if Yvaine is truly there…"
"None of them can beat her."
Silence.
Even Kael understood how terrifying that statement was.
Velda continued.
"In direct combat, Yvaine stood above nearly everyone of her generation."
"She was a monster."
Isara gave a bitter laugh.
"And I'm supposed to defeat her?"
Velda shook her head.
"That would already be difficult."
"The greater problem is this."
Her expression darkened further.
"When she fled the Covenant…"
"She stole one of our sacred treasures."
Lyra's eyes narrowed.
"What treasure?"
Velda spoke the name like a curse.
"The Treasure-Dropping Coin."
Even Isara went still.
Kael blinked.
"That sounds stupid."
Nobody laughed.
Velda stared at him like she was considering setting him on fire.
"It disables arcane treasures."
"All of them."
Kael's grin faded.
"All of them?"
Velda nodded.
"A Ward-Treasure meets that coin…"
"It dies."
Auryn inhaled sharply.
Even Lyra's expression shifted.
Velda continued.
"It once forced relics of divine rank into silence."
"It can strip armed adepts bare."
Kael's eyes widened.
Then widened further.
Then slowly lit up with greedy fascination.
"What is it made from?"
Everyone stared at him.
Kael leaned forward eagerly.
"Can it be replicated?"
"What runic lattice does it use?"
"If I built ten of them—"
Selene slapped the back of his head.
"Focus."
Kael rubbed his skull.
"Visionaries are always persecuted."
Isara pinched the bridge of her nose.
Velda ignored the interruption.
"The founder considered every option."
"In the end…"
"Only one weapon remained."
Her gaze settled on Isara.
"The Primal Veil-Map."
Kael straightened.
That artifact rarely left Vane's Summit.
It was one of the greatest treasures in the entire Covenant.
And terrifying things tended to happen whenever legendary artifacts started moving around.
Isara frowned.
"If I take the Veil-Map…"
"The Dream Nest becomes vulnerable."
"That place attracts every demon, thief, and lunatic in three realms."
Velda nodded.
"Normally, yes."
She raised a hand.
A cluster of glowing relics appeared in the air above her palm.
Spears.
Mirrors.
Chains.
A floating bronze bell covered in divine script.
Kael nearly drooled.
"These treasures will remain here."
"I will personally guard the Dream Nest."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And after our last victory against the Fell Realm…"
"Most of their major powers are still licking their wounds."
"They won't move yet."
Isara finally nodded.
"With you here…"
"The mountain will hold."
She rose.
"I leave at dawn."
Kael's heart nearly exploded.
Leave?
Leave the mountain?
His entire body buzzed.
He had spent almost his entire life on Vane's Summit.
He had been to the villages below the Jade Peaks.
A few market towns.
That was it.
Beyond that?
Only stories.
The Dread Mire.
Aureheim.
The empire.
The world.
He could barely breathe.
Please take me.
Please take me.
Please take me—
Velda spoke again.
"There is one more matter."
Her gaze shifted toward Lyra.
"If Yvaine is truly in Aureheim…"
"She will not be easily approached."
"Her formations will be lethal."
"Her constructs worse."
The old woman smiled faintly.
"That is why the Founder has ordered Shreve Lyra Farrow to accompany Isara."
Kael froze.
Lyra rose gracefully.
Even standing still, she looked dangerous in ways Kael didn't fully understand.
She bowed toward Isara.
"I'll do my best not to embarrass you, Magister."
Isara gave a frosty nod.
Kael noticed she looked deeply annoyed.
Probably because Lyra existed.
Understandable.
Velda rose.
"This mission will be deadly."
"Prepare accordingly."
Everyone knelt.
"Yes, Elder."
Then Velda looked at Isara.
"Do you have concerns?"
"Any requests?"
Isara answered immediately.
"No."
Then she turned toward her disciples.
Her cold gaze swept over all of them.
Auryn.
Sylva.
Selene.
Mira.
Then—
Kael.
"You will all prepare for departure."
"We leave at sunrise."
Kael stopped breathing.
Then exploded upward.
"Yes!"
He caught himself halfway through jumping.
Everyone stared at him.
He coughed awkwardly.
"I mean…"
"Yes, Master."
---
After lunch, Kael tore through his room like a man preparing for war.
Half-burned blueprints.
Explosive powder.
Broken gears.
Half-finished constructs.
Unwashed clothes.
Three suspicious jars.
He shoved everything into piles with absolutely no system.
Then someone called from outside.
"Kael?"
He froze.
That voice.
Zaeli.
He sprinted to the door.
She stood outside with her hands behind her back, smiling.
"What's with that face?" she asked.
"You look like someone promised you a kingdom."
Kael grinned.
"Better."
"I'm leaving the mountain."
Zaeli blinked.
Then smiled wider.
"That explains it."
She leaned closer.
"I've got better news."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"What kind?"
"That depends."
Her smile turned mischievous.
"How are you planning to thank me?"
Kael groaned.
"Why are women always negotiating?"
"Because it works."
She leaned against a tree and fanned herself dramatically.
"It's so hot."
"I can barely move."
Kael stared at her.
"You climbed three staircases to tell me this."
"I'm fragile."
"You're evil."
"Same thing."
Kael sighed.
"What do you want?"
She looked away.
"You figure it out."
Kael glanced around wildly.
Then spotted a patch of flowers growing on a nearby slope.
He sprinted over.
Returned moments later with a bright red flower.
With great ceremony, he held it out.
"A flower for a beautiful woman."
Zaeli stared at it.
Then stared at him.
Then smacked his shoulder.
"Are you twelve?"
Kael recoiled.
"It's romantic!"
"It's cheap!"
He panicked.
"Wait."
He dug through his robe.
Then pulled out a blue crystal bracelet.
It shimmered with faint frost-light.
Zaeli's eyes widened.
"What is that?"
Kael puffed out his chest.
"I made it."
"Ghostlight Moss crystal core."
"Three days of work."
"It stores a basic water escape spell."
"I was going to trade it for materials."
Zaeli immediately snatched it.
She slipped it onto her wrist.
Her eyes widened again as cool energy spread across her skin.
The carved runes glittered beautifully in the sunlight.
Her expression softened.
"That…"
She tried to sound unimpressed.
"That's acceptable."
Kael groaned.
"Acceptable?"
Her lips curled.
"Master Isara is waiting."
He froze.
"What?"
"She has something for you."
Kael vanished.
He moved so fast the flower drifted to the ground behind him.
Zaeli stared after him.
Then looked down at the bracelet on her wrist.
A slow smile spread across her face.
"Idiot," she whispered fondly.
---
Kael burst into Isara's residence and nearly tripped over the doorway.
Isara sat waiting with tea.
Composed.
Cold.
Terrifying.
He dropped into a bow.
"You summoned your favorite disciple."
"You have no favorite disciple."
"That hurts."
She stared at him until he shut up.
Then she spoke.
"You have lived on this mountain for sixteen years."
Kael nodded eagerly.
"Yes."
"Do you wish to leave it?"
He stared at her.
Was she serious?
"Master…"
His voice dropped.
"I've dreamed about seeing the world since I was a child."
Something unreadable flickered through her eyes.
Then vanished.
"You are reckless."
"That is a problem."
Kael immediately straightened.
"I'll behave."
She arched a brow.
"You?"
"I can be dignified."
"No."
"I can."
"No."
Kael looked wounded.
"I'll stay beside you."
"I won't cause trouble."
"I won't flirt."
"I won't steal."
"I won't accidentally destroy royal property."
Isara stared at him.
"Accidentally?"
Kael coughed.
After a long silence—
she nodded.
"Very well."
Relief nearly dropped him to his knees.
Then Isara gestured toward a long black case resting on the table.
"When Auryn and Sylva first left this mountain…"
"I gifted them treasures."
"When Selene, Mira, and now you leave…"
"You will receive the same."
Kael's breathing became shallow.
He approached the case like a pilgrim approaching a holy relic.
Then opened it.
And forgot how to breathe.
Inside lay a magnificent crimson whip.
Long.
Elegant.
Deadly.
Dragon-scale patterns shimmered along its body.
Gold script glowed near the handle.
It radiated heat.
Kael lifted it with shaking hands.
The weapon felt alive.
"What is this?"
Isara answered.
"The Eight-Claw Flamescourge."
Kael nearly screamed.
He poured a thread of Vitae into it.
The whip convulsed.
Then erupted in blazing fire.
He yelped and nearly dropped it.
"Do not test it indoors."
Kael killed the flame instantly.
His heart pounded.
"This is far better than my Ember-Chain."
"What is it made from?"
Isara calmly sipped tea.
"One eight-claw fire dragon tendon."
"Three hundred sixty dragon scales."
Kael nearly fainted.
"What?"
She continued.
"The smith also fused marrow from all eight legs."
"It excels at binding prey."
"And amplifies fire techniques."
Kael looked ready to cry from happiness.
Isara spent the next hour teaching him its control methods.
Kael learned frighteningly fast.
By the end, he was grinning like a lunatic.
Then he asked the worst possible question.
"Is it stronger than Auryn's Auric Manacle?"
Isara stared at him.
"Yes."
Kael looked like he might ascend to godhood.
"But."
Her voice turned sharp.
"If used poorly…"
"It becomes useless scrap."
"And at your current level…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"You would need five more years of discipline to rival Auryn."
Kael heard none of that.
He launched himself at her.
"MASTER!"
He wrapped his arms around her in pure joy.
For half a heartbeat—
Isara froze.
Then her face changed.
Very slightly.
A flash of color touched her pale cheeks.
Then she moved.
Kael hit the floor hard enough to see stars.
He groaned.
Isara stood over him, furious.
"You are no longer a child."
"Control yourself."
Kael blinked from the floor.
Confused.
He had done that before when he was younger.
She had never reacted like this.
He rubbed his head.
"I was just happy…"
Her breathing looked strangely uneven.
Then she spoke.
"Stand."
He obeyed instantly.
Her eyes moved downward.
"To your waist."
Kael frowned.
"…what?"
"Remove your belt."
He stared at her.
She stared back.
Cold.
Unmoving.
He slowly obeyed.
The belt slipped loose.
His pulse started climbing.
"Master?"
Her jaw tightened.
"Lower your trousers."
Kael stopped breathing.
Every filthy book he had secretly bought from mountain traders flashed through his mind at once.
Heat flooded his body.
His ears burned.
He stared at her in stunned disbelief.
"...what?"