The fire crackled low in the hearth, casting a warm, golden glow across the stone walls of Aya's chambers. Outside, a soft wind howled against the fortress, battering the shutters. But inside, it was a different world — softer, quieter.
Aya sat on the edge of a wide bed, carefully tucking a thick fur blanket around a small sleeping form.
Juno, her young brother — and the last living member of her house beyond herself and Elex — mumbled something in his dreams and burrowed deeper into the covers, clutching a carved wooden bear to his chest.
She smiled faintly, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. His innocence was a fragile thing, one she fought every day to protect.
A soft knock at the door broke the moment.
"Come in," she called quietly.
The door creaked open, and Elex stepped inside, his frame half in shadow. He wore no armor, just simple wool and leather, his dark hair unbound and flowing past his shoulders. In his hand, he carried two mugs of steaming cider.
He set one on the side table before easing into the chair by the fire.
Aya rose from the bed and joined him, accepting the cup with a murmur of thanks.
For a while, they sat in companionable silence, the only sounds the crackle of firewood and the distant moan of the wind.
Then Elex spoke, his voice low. "So," he said, stretching the word out with teasing weight, "Killan of the South."
Aya sipped her cider, refusing to meet his gaze. "What about him?"
Elex gave a knowing grunt. "You smiled when I said his name."
Aya huffed softly, setting her cup down. "I did not."
"You did," Elex insisted, leaning forward with a rare boyish grin. "A real smile, too. Not the one you give when you're plotting to have someone escorted out of the hall."
Aya chuckled under her breath but shook her head. "He surprised me. That's all."
Elex's amusement faded a little, his tone becoming more serious. "Be careful, Aya. Curiosity is fine. But you know as well as I do — even good men can have sharp teeth."
She nodded, sobering. "I know."
He studied her a moment longer before leaning back in his chair, stretching his long legs toward the fire. "He might not be a bad choice, you know. Peduviel has no eligible bachelors and most of their Lords are fat and old..."
Aya let out a soft laugh. "Hey, Lord Garrett is very handsome."
"And already spoken for," Elex tipped her cup towards her. "Nana made a great choice."
"That is true," Aya nodded. "Master Dino would not be very happy with you if he heard the words Lords, fat, and old coming out of your mouth."
"Believe me, dear Sister," Elex smiled at the memory. "He would say I have an astute standing."
The siblings laughed lightheartedly.
"He's different, isn't he?" Elex said thoughtfully. "This Southern King?"
Aya let out a breath. "I haven't met many Kings, Brother. Only Lords whom I've been brought to years ago."
Elex glanced at her, studying her carefully. "He seems to have a unique interest in you."
"Yes," she nodded in his direction. "I told him the truth about myself."
"And?" Elex waited for his sister to continue.
"And frankly, I'm surprised that he seemed genuinely concerned about my well-being."
"Maybe he truly is, Aya," Elex smiled kindly, reaching out to hold his sister's hand.
"You've been married, Brother," Aya said carefully.
"Yes, I was," Elex closed his eyes.
"She was chosen for you?" Aya continued asking.
"Our Mother chose well," Elex smiled. "She was a good woman, and she did her best to take care of our family. I only pray she knew that I did love her."
Aya smiled at her brother and nodded.
"And if, by chance," he said casually, "you ever did decide to take King Killan up on his offer... There is hope you might have the same love I once had. I wish that for you, Sister."
"I highly doubt it," Aya said wistfully. "But I'm glad you're hopeful."
A long silence stretched between the two of them as they watched the fire dance around for a while, each one lost in their thoughts.
"There is another matter, Aya," Elex said, turning to his Sister. "We'd need to name Juno as Warden of the North if you do decide to join hands with the South."
Aya blinked back at him, startled. "Elex, he's just a boy."
"Better a boy with a title and protectors than a boy without either," Elex said. His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of steel beneath it. "Our House, our line must remain strong, no matter what happens. Especially now and if..." he trailed off, then waved a hand. "Especially if you choose a different path."
Aya looked toward Juno, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the burdens adults stacked on his tiny shoulders.
"He's smart," Elex said gently, following her gaze. "Stronger than he looks. We should start letting him find his own feet."
Aya sighed, the weight of it all pressing down."I want him to have a childhood."
"You've given him one," Elex said, his voice soft. "Now we must give him a future."
"As you should face your own, too." Elex said with a tone of finality.
They fell silent again, the fire popping and snapping in the hearth.
Elex stood, setting his empty cup down. Before he left, he reached out and touched her shoulder — a rare gesture of comfort between siblings hardened by war and duty.
"You deserve to think for yourself, Aya," he said quietly. "You deserve to be curious. To be happy. You are not our Father's mistake. You are not his crown."
Aya looked up at him, surprised by the tenderness in his voice.
Elex smiled — just a little — and ruffled her hair like he used to when they were children. "Just don't let a handsome face make you stupid," he added dryly.
Aya laughed under her breath, and Elex chuckled too before turning for the door.
As he left, Aya sat back in her chair, gazing into the fire.
For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself a dangerous thought —What if there was a different future waiting for her? One not written by old blood feuds and wars.
The warmth of the fire blurred the sharp edges of her fears.
Tomorrow, she would meet Killan again.
And this time, the choices would be hers to make.