Kael leaned against the porch railing, his eyes fixed on the horizon as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the hills. The soft hum of village life surrounded him—the distant chatter of villagers, the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze—but his thoughts remained on Vaun Calder and his veiled threats.
He glanced toward the door as it opened quietly, revealing Aeris. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes carried a heaviness Kael hadn't seen before. She stepped onto the porch, her arms wrapped around herself.
"We need to talk," she said softly, taking a seat beside him.
Kael nodded. "I figured as much. What did Vaun say to you?"
Aeris exhaled, the tension in her shoulders visible. "He wants me to go back with him... to the Levi family. He says it's to honor a contract made before my family fell."
Kael frowned. "A contract?"
Aeris nodded again, her eyes clouded with emotion. "A marriage contract."
Kael's grip on the railing tightened. "They want to marry you off to someone in the Levi family?"
"Yes," Aeris said quietly. "It was arranged long ago, before everything fell apart. My family was once powerful, controlling key trade routes. The Levi family clearly hasn't forgotten that—and now they want to use me to reclaim that influence."
Kael's jaw clenched. "And Vaun thinks you'll just go along with it?"
"He thinks I have no choice," Aeris said, her voice trembling slightly. "But I'm not the same person I was back then. I won't let them control me."
Kael reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone in this. We'll deal with Vaun together. Whatever it takes."
Aeris smiled faintly, her eyes softening. "You've always been stubborn like that."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Then Aeris spoke again, her voice quieter, almost hesitant.
"You've always been there for me, Kael. Even when things were at their worst." She paused, her gaze meeting his. "I trust you more than anyone."
Kael's breath caught at the intensity in her eyes. There was something more in her words—a warmth, a connection he hadn't allowed himself to fully acknowledge until now.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he promised. "Not now. Not ever."
Aeris looked away, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. "You always say that like you mean it."
"I do," Kael said simply.
Aeris shifted back to a more serious tone. "Vaun isn't going to stop. He's playing the long game, and I don't think we've seen everything he's capable of."
Kael nodded. "Then we'll stay ahead of him. The Blazing Fang Fruit is almost ready. Once it's harvested, I'll have what I need to handle whatever's coming."
Aeris spoke quietly. "Just… be careful, Kael. You've always taken on too much. I don't want you to lose yourself in all of this."
He smiled softly. "I'll be fine. I have you to keep me grounded."
Aeris hesitated again, as if she wanted to say more, but then she nodded and stood. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be important."
Kael watched her retreat into the house, his mind racing with thoughts of Vaun and what was to come.
The village was quiet, but Kael felt the storm brewing beneath the surface. Vaun was a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. Kael knew that Aeris's past was more dangerous than he had imagined, but now it was personal.
As the stars lit the night sky, Kael made his way back to his room, already planning for what lay ahead. The Blazing Fang Fruit needed to be harvested—and when it was, nothing would stand in his way.
He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. Vaun Calder had no idea who he was dealing with.