The first few days after the rescue were a blur for Kael, defined by the dull throb in his ribs and the constant presence of Princess Seraphina. She was a quiet sentinel by his bedside in the royal infirmary, her hands often resting gently near his bandages, a faint, warm glow emanating from her palms as she tirelessly applied her healing magic. The Solaran healers did the heavy lifting, but it was Seraphina's devotion that seemed to truly mend him, stitch by weary stitch.
One afternoon, as Kael slowly regained strength, Seraphina adjusted his pillows. Her silver hair fell like a curtain around her beautiful face, and her eyes, though still tired, met his with profound gratitude. "Kael," she began, her voice barely a whisper, "I... I don't know how to thank you. What Vorlag intended... if you hadn't come..." She shuddered, pressing a hand to her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. "You saved me. You faced him, even when he was so strong, and you were... injured. Why?"
Kael reached out, his hand weak, and gently touched hers. His cheeks warmed, a faint blush rising. "Seraphina, you are my friend. And you showed me kindness when I had nothing. I couldn't... I couldn't let him hurt you. I just couldn't." He looked away briefly, embarrassed by the raw honesty in his voice, but the deep affection he felt was undeniable.
Just then, a light knock sounded, and Prince Arion entered, his arm still bandaged, but a new lightness in his step. His fire lion cub, Blaze, padded in after him, settling by his feet.
"Well, well, look who's finally stirring," Arion said, a familiar swagger in his tone, but his eyes held genuine concern. He pulled a chair close. "You gave us quite a scare, Zunian. Even Seraphina here hardly slept." He glanced at his sister, a fond, knowing look passing between them.
Seraphina gently squeezed Kael's hand. "He fought with the courage of a true king, Arion. And he was gravely wounded doing it."
Arion nodded, his gaze meeting Kael's. He took a deep breath, an uncharacteristic seriousness settling over his face. "Look, Kael... about how I treated you before. The duels, the challenges... I was being a fool. You proved your strength when it mattered. I... I was wrong. And thank you. For saving my sister. For saving her life." He held out his uninjured hand, a genuine offer of truce and something more profound.
Kael looked at Arion's outstretched hand, then back to Seraphina's tear-stained face, her grip still firm on his. A wave of warmth, of belonging, washed over him. He was still hurting, physically and emotionally, but here, in this strange land, he had found something precious. He grasped Arion's hand firmly. "We saved her, Arion. Together."
Blaze, sensing the shift, nudged Arion's leg with its head, while Seraphina's air eaglet, Zephyr, perched on her shoulder, let out a soft trill. The three of them sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the heavy shadow of the recent ordeal still present, but now shared. The tension that had defined the two princes was gone, replaced by the unspoken understanding of comrades who had faced death and emerged, if not unscathed, then certainly stronger. Kael still carried the weight of Zuna, and the haunting thought of Lyra, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he didn't feel entirely alone. He had friends, true friends, and a princess whose touch now meant more than words could say.