ASHES OF BETRAYAL THE SORCERER'S VENGEANCE

CHAPTER 2

Rendall hesitated. His jaw worked as though chewing on words he didn't want to speak. Then, slowly, reluctantly, he nodded his head.

 "Yeah."

Lyanna's lips curved into a smirk, sharp, cruel, and utterly unlike the warm smiles she'd been giving Kael moments before. 

"Good. I'm tired of playing the doting girlfriend. Three months of this charade have been exhausting."

Rendall said nothing. He turned and walked away, his shoulders heavy with something that might have been guilt.

Lyanna watched him go, then looked down at her hands, the same hands that had just been lovingly running through Kael's hair. She flexed her fingers experimentally, as if testing their strength. 

"Sorry, darling." 

She whispered to the empty air. 

"But business is business."

Kael ran through the castle corridors like his life depended on it, which, given his father's notorious impatience, it very well might. His boots echoed loudly against the polished marble floors, the sound reverberating off the stone walls hung with ancient tapestries that depicted the kingdom's history.

"Watch it!"

 A maid squeaked as Kael nearly bowled her over, her tray of teacups rattling dangerously.

"Sorry!" 

Kael called over his shoulder without slowing down.

He vaulted over a decorative bench, startling a group of visiting nobles who gasped in scandalised horror. He took the grand staircase three steps at a time, his hand barely touching the ornate bannister.

 A butler carrying a stack of folded linens had to press himself flat against the wall to avoid being trampled.

"Young master Kael! Decorum!" 

The butler shouted after him.

"Later!" 

Kael shouted back.

He skidded around a corner, his momentum nearly sending him crashing into a suit of ceremonial armour. He caught himself at the last second, steadied the wobbling armour stand, and kept running. 

His lungs burned, his legs ached, but none of it mattered. Nothing mattered except reaching his parents and expressing the gratitude that was bursting from his chest like sunlight.

Finally, after what felt like both an eternity and no time at all, he reached the royal wing of the castle. The corridor here was quieter, more subdued, with thick carpets that muffled footsteps and paintings of stern-faced ancestors watching from the walls.

Kael slowed to a stop in front of his parents' private chambers, suddenly aware of how dishevelled he must look. His hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat, his training clothes were covered in dirt, and he was breathing as if he'd just run a marathon.

He tried to compose himself, smoothing down his hair and straightening his tunic. It didn't help much, but it would have to do. Taking a deep breath, he raised his fist and knocked on the heavy oak door.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Come in." 

 His father's voice came from within, muffled by the thick wood but still carrying the unmistakable tone of authority that King Aldric wielded as naturally as breathing.

Kael's hand trembled slightly as he gripped the ornate door handle. Excitement, nervousness, and pure joy warred within him. He pushed the door open, stepping into his parents' private sitting room.

"Father! Mother! It's me!"

 The words tumbled out in a rush.

The sitting room was elegantly furnished but not ostentatious, his parents had always preferred comfort over display in their private spaces. 

Queen Seraphine sat in a chair by the window, embroidery in her lap, the afternoon sunlight highlighting the golden tones in her hair. King Aldric stood near a side table, a goblet of wine in his hand, his posture relaxed in a way it never was in public.

Queen Seraphine looked up at Kael's entrance, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips. Her violet eyes, the same shade as Kael's own, he'd been told, though mirrors showed him only grey, crinkled with amusement at the corners.

 "We know, sweetheart. Come in."

Kael stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind him. Now that he was actually here, face to face with his parents, some of his earlier exuberance began to fade, replaced by a more measured respect.

 These weren't just his mother and father, they were the king and queen. Their approval meant everything.

King Aldric set down his goblet and turned to face his son fully. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered and commanding even in casual dress. His ice-blue eyes studied Kael with an intensity that the young man had never quite gotten used to. 

"What can we help you with, son?"

 His tone was low and thick with curiosity, but there was something else underneath it, something Kael couldn't quite identify.

"Oh, it's nothing urgent, Father."

 Kael said quickly, bowing slightly in respect. 

"I just... I wanted to thank you both. For finally allowing me into the Elite Squad. Master Rendall told me just now, and I…" 

His voice caught with emotion. 

"I can't express how much this means to me. I won't disappoint you. I swear it.”

Queen Seraphine set aside her embroidery and rose from her chair with fluid grace. She crossed to Kael and placed a gentle hand on his cheek, her touch warm and motherly. 

"Oh, my dear boy. We want you to be happy. That's all any parent truly wants for their child."

 Her voice was soft, almost sad.

 "We saw how much you love Lyanna, how your eyes light up whenever she's near. We decided it was about time we let you be a man. To make your own choices. To follow your own path."

Something about the way she said it made Kael's chest tighten, though he couldn't say why. He covered her hand with his own, smiling up at her. 

"Thank you, Mother. Thank you so much."

King Aldric cleared his throat, drawing Kael's attention.

 "You're welcome, son. You've worked hard, trained diligently. You've earned this." 

He paused, taking a slow sip from his goblet. 

"Now, I need you to go wait for us in the throne room. We'll conduct the official acceptance ceremony there. Make it proper."

Kael's smile widened until his face hurt.

 "Really? An official ceremony?"

"Of course." 

Aldric's expression was unreadable.

 "This is an important milestone. It deserves to be recognised formally."

"Okay, Father! Mother! I'll be waiting in the throne room then!" 

Kael could barely contain himself. He bowed again, more deeply this time, then turned and practically floated toward the door. His hand was on the handle when his mother's voice stopped him.

"Kael?"

He turned back, seeing her standing there with her hand still raised where it had been touching his face. Her expression was strange, torn between something that looked almost like love and something else entirely.

 "Yes, Mother?"

She opened her mouth as if to speak, then closed it. Finally, she managed.

"We love you. Remember that. No matter what happens, remember that we loved you."

The odd phrasing struck Kael as unusual, but he was too happy to dwell on it.

 "I love you too, Mother. Both of you." 

He flashed them one last brilliant smile. 

"I'll see you in the throne room!...”