The Silvermoon Enclave was unlike anything Elara had ever seen. Built into the mountain itself, the structure seemed to grow organically from the stone, its towers reaching toward the stars. Silver light emanated from within, pulsing with a rhythm that matched Elara's heartbeat.
The Archmagister was a man of indeterminate age, his eyes ancient but his face unlined. He introduced himself simply as Aldric.
"Princess Elara," he said, his voice resonant. "Welcome to the Enclave. Though I wish our meeting came under different circumstances."
"Thank you for receiving us," Elara said, finding her diplomatic training returning despite everything.
Aldric studied her intently. "The starlight burns bright in you. Brighter than any I've seen in generations. But it is untamed, dangerous. You could burn yourself to ash if you're not careful."
"That's why we're here," Kieran interjected. "She needs training."
"Training takes time," Aldric said. "Years, typically. You have weeks at best before Darius's forces track you here. Before the Awakening completes and the power consumes you entirely."
"Then we'll learn faster," Elara said, lifting her chin. "I didn't survive the fall of my kingdom to give up now."
Aldric smiled, a glimmer of approval in his ancient eyes. "Spoken like a true heir. Very well. We begin at dawn. But I warn you, Princess, the training will push you to your limits and beyond. Magic demands sacrifice. Are you prepared for that?"
Elara thought of her family, of the palace in flames, of the kingdom suffering under Darius's rule. "I am."
"Good," Aldric said. "Then let us begin your transformation. You came here a princess. You will leave a warrior queen."
That night, Elara stood on the balcony of her assigned quarters, looking out over the mountains. Kieran joined her, bringing her a cup of hot tea.
"Having second thoughts?" he asked gently.
"Third and fourth thoughts," she admitted. "I've never been trained for anything like this. I learned diplomacy, history, court politics. Not magic. Not war."
"You're stronger than you think," Kieran said. "You survived the coup. You made it here. That takes more than training. It takes will."
"And if my will isn't enough?"
Kieran was quiet for a moment. "Then I'll be there to catch you when you fall. That's what allies do."
Elara turned to look at him, really look at him. This man who had given up everything to save her, who believed in her when she barely believed in herself.
"Why?" she asked. "Why do all this? You could have fled the kingdom entirely, started a new life far from Darius's reach."
"Because some things are worth fighting for," Kieran said simply. "And you, Princess, are one of them."
There was something in his eyes, something that made Elara's breath catch. But before she could respond, a bell tolled from the Enclave's highest tower, marking the hour.
"Rest," Kieran said, stepping back. "Tomorrow begins your real test."
As he left, Elara returned her gaze to the stars, feeling the power within her pulse in rhythm with their light. She didn't know if she could become what everyone needed her to be. But she would try. For her family. For her kingdom.
And perhaps, for the man who believed in her when no one else could.