Chapter 71 The Heir's Awakening

Smoke curled in gentle spirals above the scorched battlefield. The acrid scent of burnt shadow and blood hung thick in the air, mingled with the metallic sting of magic still lingering in the ground. But the sky—oh, the sky—was no longer red with rage. The blood moon had waned, and dawn broke with golden hues spilling over the mountains, as though the heavens themselves exhaled in relief. Selene stirred, her body aching in places she hadn't known could ache. Her head rested against Kael’s chest, the thrum of his heartbeat a steady rhythm grounding her to this moment.