Chapter 174

SERAPHINA I sat next to Mother, watching them while enjoying my hot tea. There was something so soothing about seeing two generations of leaders talking without tension—just as father and son-in-law learning to understand each other. “Back when I first found out you were in love with Kaelos,” Mother whispered, “your father was worried. He was afraid Kaelos was too… intense. Too fiery.” I turned my head, laughing softly. “And look at us now.” “Yes,” she said with a proud smile. “You tamed his fire without extinguishing it.” I looked at Kaelos in the distance, his blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight as he laughed at my father's story. “He was never really tamed, Mom,” I said. “But I love his fire.” Mom stared at me for a long time, as if seeing the shadows of the past on my face. “You know,” she said softly, “I used to be afraid you would grow up too fast. You always wanted to protect everyone, even when you yourself were hurt.” I looked down, remembering all the journeys that had brough