Kael woke with a taste of ash in his mouth and a dull ache behind his eyes. The twilight light streamed through the windows, warm, insistent. He was still sitting against the wall, the empty bottle beside him.
It took him several seconds to understand where he was.
Then he remembered.
"By the abyss," he murmured.
He rose slowly. His muscles protested. His head buzzed. The notebook had disappeared from his lap. It was placed on the desk, carefully closed.
"Kira."
No answer.
He ran a hand over his face. His hair was disheveled. His clothes wrinkled. He smelled of alcohol and dust.
"Kira!"
The door opened. Kira entered, a tray in hand, looking rested.
"You're awake."
"Obviously."
"You slept against the wall."
"I know."
"You were snoring."
"I never snore."
"You were snoring. A little."
Kael shot him a dark look.
"Why didn't you move me?"
"You were heavy."
"I'm a Demon King. I'm not heavy."
"Try carrying yourself after a bottle of blood-iron."
Kael grunted.
"What did you bring me?"
"Water. Bread. And a bitter infusion. For the head."
"Give it."
Kira set the tray on the desk. Kael drank the water in one gulp, bit into the bread, and swallowed the infusion without breathing.
"It's vile," he said.
"It works."
"We'll see."
He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees.
"Did I say anything stupid last night?"
"No."
"Nothing embarrassing?"
"You talked about poems."
"Mine?"
"Yes. You refused to read me one."
"Good."
"You also said you were a monster."
"That's true."
"And that you were thirsty."
"Also true."
Kira leaned against the wall.
"Do you want me to tell you about the evening?"
"No. I remember."
"Everything?"
"Enough."
"You smiled."
"I was drunk."
"You smiled several times."
Kael looked up.
"So?"
"Nothing. It was good."
Kael shook his head.
"You're unbearable."
"I know."
He stood and walked to the window. The landscape stretched before him, bathed in purple light. The city was calm. The roofs gleamed.
"How long did I sleep?"
"A night. Maybe a little more."
"We were supposed to inspect the garrisons."
"I sent a message to Thorgar. We can go this afternoon."
"You took initiative."
"You were snoring."
"Stop with that."
Kira smiled.
"Do you want a bath?"
"Yes. And clean clothes."
"Already prepared."
"You're efficient."
"I have practice."
Kael headed for the door.
"Kira."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For last night. For staying."
Kira inclined his head slightly.
"I always stay."
"I know. But thank you anyway."
He left.
---
The bath chamber was immense, carved into black stone, fed by a hot spring that ran beneath the palace. Kael slipped into the steaming water and let the warmth relax his muscles.
He closed his eyes.
The notebook. The spells. The sketches.
The woman with the unknown face.
He tried to remember her. Nothing came. Just a vague impression, like a forgotten dream.
"Who are you?" he murmured again.
The water lapped gently. The palace was silent.
After a long while, he stepped out of the bath, dried off, and put on the clothes Kira had prepared. A dark tunic, soft trousers, polished boots. He looked at himself in the mirror.
His face was the same. Perhaps a little more marked. His grey-red eyes gleamed with an ancient fire.
"The king is back," he said to his reflection.
The reflection didn't answer.
---
He found Kira in the corridor.
"Ready?" Kira asked.
"Yes."
"Thorgar awaits us at the central barracks."
"Let's go."
They crossed the palace. The servants bowed as they passed, more relaxed than the day before. Some even dared to look up.
"They're getting used to it," said Kira.
"Good."
"You look more regal today."
"I slept."
"Against a wall."
"Are you going to remind me of that all day?"
"Probably."
"I can have you executed."
"You won't."
"Don't tempt me."
They stepped out into the courtyard. The sky had turned pink and gold. Guards trained in the dust. Horses pawed the ground.
Thorgar waited for them near the gate.
"My king. You look well."
"You're lying politely."
"Yes."
"Let's go."
They mounted and rode through the city. The streets were lively. Shops open. Demons stepped aside with respect, but without fear.
"The people are watching you," said Thorgar.
"I see."
"They're curious."
"They want to know if I'm still capable of ruling."
"Yes."
"They'll know soon."
The central barracks stood at the end of a wide avenue. It was a massive building, surrounded by thick walls and training grounds. Soldiers practiced combat, archery, magic.
Kael dismounted.
"Assemble them."
"All of them?" asked Thorgar.
"All of them."
"It will take time."
"We have time."
Thorgar moved away, barking orders. Soldiers assembled in tight ranks in the main courtyard. There were hundreds of them, in black armor, faces closed.
Kael stepped onto a platform.
He looked at them for a long moment.
"I'm not going to lie to you," he said. "The kingdom has suffered. You have suffered. You held on."
Silence.
"I didn't return to judge you. I returned to fight alongside you."
A few eyes lit up.
"But I'm not going to tell you it will be easy either. It won't be."
He scanned the ranks.
"Those who want to stay, stay. Those who doubt, leave now. I won't hold it against you."
No one moved.
"Good. Then prepare yourselves. Soon, we'll take back what is ours."
A murmur ran through the soldiers. Not a shout. Not a cheer. But something deeper. A warmth.
Kael stepped down from the platform.
"You see?" said Kira.
"What?"
"They didn't move."
"Good for them."
"Are you happy?"
"I'm satisfied."
"It's the same."
"No. Satisfaction is for kings. Joy is for fools."
Kira smiled.
"Then you're satisfied."
"Yes."
"Me too."
They mounted their horses.
The day had only just begun.