Amara crossed her arms, trying to steady the storm of questions swirling in her mind. "Danger? What sort of danger are you talking about?"
Kael glanced around, his hazel eyes flickering with caution. "Not here. Too many ears, even in a garden this lovely. Is there somewhere private we can talk?"
"Private?" Amara raised an eyebrow. "You just crash-landed into my life and now you're demanding secrecy?"
"I'd call it requesting, Princess. Politely, even," Kael replied, his mischievous grin returning for a moment. "But if you'd prefer, I could wait until it's too late to warn you."
Lila finally caught up, her face flushed from running. "Your Highness, who is this man? Should I call the guards?"
Kael raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'd rather avoid that. I'm not exactly dressed for a royal interrogation."
Amara sighed. Something about him—his confident demeanor, the way he looked at her as though she wasn't just a princess but a person—intrigued her. Against her better judgment, she nodded. "Fine. Come with me."
She led Kael through a hidden pathway in the garden, one she had discovered as a child. It opened into a small greenhouse filled with exotic plants that glowed faintly in the dim light. The air smelled of lavender and rain.
Kael paused at the threshold, his expression softening. "This is… beautiful."
"It's my sanctuary," Amara said, closing the door behind them. She gestured for him to sit on a bench beneath a flowering vine. "Now talk."
Kael ran a hand through his messy hair, his expression growing serious. "I told you I'm a sky-painter. My art isn't just for beauty—it's a way to read the skies. They speak to those who know how to listen."
"You mean like… magic?"
"Exactly," Kael said, leaning forward. "And lately, the skies have been screaming. A storm is coming, Princess. Not just any storm—it's woven with dark magic, and it's heading straight for Zephyrion."
Amara frowned, her mind racing. Zephyrion's magic was tied to the skies, its very existence reliant on the balance of the winds and clouds. A disruption like this could spell disaster. "What kind of dark magic?"
Kael hesitated. "There's an old tale in the Lowlands about a Sorceress of Shadows. She was banished from the skies centuries ago, cast down to the earth to live as a mortal. But the whispers say she's found a way to regain her power, and she's coming for revenge."
Amara felt a chill run down her spine. "Revenge against whom?"
Kael's gaze locked with hers. "Your family. The royal bloodline."
The words hung heavy in the air. Amara's mind reeled. Her parents had always spoken of their duty to protect the kingdom, but they had never mentioned an ancient enemy or a curse.
"And you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "Why are you involved?"
Kael leaned back, his grin returning, though it was tinged with something darker. "Because I've seen what happens if no one stops her. The skies showed me visions of Zephyrion falling, its magic unraveling, and its people scattered. I may not be a noble, but I can't sit back and let that happen."
Amara studied him for a long moment, her instincts warring with her sense of reason. Everything about Kael's story sounded impossible. And yet, the sincerity in his eyes made it hard to dismiss.
"If what you're saying is true," she said slowly, "then why come to me? Why not the High Council or the king himself?"
Kael smirked. "Because you're the only one reckless enough to listen."
Amara opened her mouth to retort but was interrupted by a sharp knock at the greenhouse door. Lila peeked in, her face pale. "Your Highness, the king is asking for you. There's… there's been an incident."
Amara shot to her feet. "What kind of incident?"
Lila hesitated. "A shadow. It appeared in the throne room, whispering a warning. The council is in a panic."
Kael stood, his expression grim. "It's starting."
Amara looked between him and Lila, her heart pounding. She didn't know if she could trust him, but one thing was clear—her quiet life in the floating palace was over.