Chapter 174: Day by Day
Trade had changed the Hollow in ways Kael hadn't fully imagined.
What had once been a settlement of raw strength and survival now thrived with a hum of commerce. Market stalls bustled daily, offering fresh-caught fish from Thalren's people in exchange for the Hollow's crafted steel. Exotic cloth draped from rafters where once only crude canvas hung, and spices unknown to most Hollowfolk found their way into steaming pots. Children laughed as they tasted sweet fruits carried across the sea, their mouths sticky and smiling.
There had been no disputes, no clashes of culture, no fights over coin or custom. The Hollow had welcomed the trade with cautious hearts at first, but now the rhythm was seamless. Kael often found himself pausing in the streets, watching the flow of life with something dangerously close to pride.
For all the threats that lurked beyond their caverns, inside them, peace reigned.
It was during one of these walks that Varik came to him, boots crunching on gravel, expression sharp.
"Message from the king," Varik said, handing him a sealed parchment.
Kael cracked the seal and read. The words were clear, written in Thalren's hand:
The traitor has not yet been found, but progress is being made. Trade must continue, for our people's sakes, though my council grows restless. Do not lose faith, Kael. We will root them out.
Kael folded the letter, slipping it into his cloak. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was steady. "He's holding the line. That's all we need for now."
Varik gave him a sidelong look. "And if the line breaks?"
Kael didn't answer. Instead, his gaze lifted to the heart of the Hollow, where children darted between stalls and Azhara laughed softly as she carried a basket of herbs for the healers.
"If it breaks," Kael murmured, "we'll find another way."
That night, long after the council had been dismissed and the Hollow settled into quiet, Kael sat with Lyria in their shared chamber. A single lantern glowed, throwing shadows across the carved walls.
He turned to her, voice low but direct. "I heard your conversation with Azhara."
Lyria froze for a heartbeat, then sighed, setting aside the dagger she had been sharpening. Her green eyes lifted to his, sharp and unflinching. "Of course you did. You always hear more than you should."
Kael leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "You're protective of me. I know. But if Azhara's trying to find her place, then shouldn't we let her? She's learning freedom for the first time. If that means feelings she doesn't understand, we can't just shut her down."
Lyria's gaze didn't waver. She was rarely gentle when speaking truth, and tonight was no different. "This isn't about you taking another partner, Kael. Don't twist it into that. This is about me protecting you."
Kael blinked, caught off guard. "…Protecting me?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "Protecting you from being hurt again." Her hands tightened on her knees, knuckles pale. "Do you remember the night you flew off alone? When you gave yourself over to the dragon and vanished into the skies without a word? Do you remember what it did to me? I tore through the Hollow like a madwoman, demanding answers from anyone who'd seen you. I didn't eat. I didn't sleep. I thought I'd lost you — to your bloodline, to your recklessness, to your need to carry everything alone."
Her voice shook, though she fought to steady it. "I cannot — will not — stand by and watch that happen again. Not if it's something I can stop."
Kael swallowed hard. The memory of that night weighed heavy. The freedom of the skies had felt intoxicating, but he hadn't thought then about the storm he'd left behind in her heart.
He reached for her hand, his clawed fingers wrapping around hers. "Lyria… I never meant to hurt you. And I won't again. But if Azhara's heart is tangled because of me, it isn't something I can just push away. I owe her more than chains. I owe her the same chance at life you've given me — to find herself."
Lyria studied him, her jaw tight, her eyes unreadable. Then, finally, she let out a long breath.
"Then we take it day by day," she said quietly. "If she stumbles, we help her stand. If she mistakes gratitude for love, we let her learn the difference. But Kael…" She squeezed his hand tightly, her voice iron. "Promise me you won't bear her weight alone. Promise me you'll remember I'm here — that I'm not afraid to share the burden."
Kael nodded, his chest heavy, his voice steady. "I promise."
They sat in silence for a long moment, lantern light flickering across their faces. Outside, the Hollow thrummed with life, safe and strong. Inside, Kael and Lyria leaned together, two souls holding to each other against the storms they knew would come.
And somewhere nearby, Azhara lay awake in her healer's quarters, staring at the ceiling with white eyes that glimmered faintly in the dark — eyes full of gratitude, confusion, and something still unnamed.
The Hollow slept, but the paths ahead were restless.