POV: NYX THALASSOR
Timeline: One week after recovery
Location: War Council - Neutral Ground
---
Finding someone lost in dimensional space should be impossible.
Good thing I'm a god.
"Water exists everywhere," I explain to the assembled council. "Every realm. Every dimension. Even in the void between. If Isolde is anywhere, she's drinking. Breathing moisture. Existing near water. And I can sense it."
"How long will it take?" Ravion asks.
"Days. Weeks. Months." I shrug. "Dimensional space is vast. But she'll slip up. Use magic. Make contact with allies. And when she does—"
"We'll be ready," Kaelis finishes.
He looks better. Recovered. But there's a hardness in his eyes that wasn't there before.
Learning your entire life was a lie does that.
"What about her allies?" Kieran asks. "The Shadow Court. King Daemon. Are they still threats?"
"The Shadow Court scatters without payment," I say. "They're mercenaries. With Isolde missing, they'll move on to other clients."
"King Daemon is different," Ravion adds grimly. "He was… personally invested. In Isolde. In the plan. He won't give up easily."
"Then we watch Valdris," Kaelis says. "Monitor his movements. If Isolde makes contact, it'll be with him."
"Agreed." I look around the table. "We also need to secure Arventis. With Isolde gone and the truth about King Aldric's death revealed, the kingdom is unstable."
"I'll go," Kaelis says immediately.
Everyone looks at him.
"It's MY kingdom," he continues. "My father's kingdom. My mother—my REAL mother's—kingdom. I'm not letting it fall into chaos because of what Isolde did."
"You're sure?" Nyx asks carefully. "Going back there. Facing the nobles who—"
"Who helped her? Who knew?" Kaelis' expression hardens. "Yes. I'm sure. I want to look every single one of them in the eye and ask what they knew. What they did. What they're guilty of."
"I'll go with you," Kieran offers immediately.
"No." Kaelis shakes his head. "You need to stay in Nocterra. Keep your kingdom stable. We can't both leave our realms vulnerable."
"He's right," Ravion says reluctantly. "But I'm sending shadow guards. Hidden. Protecting you at all times."
"I'll send water constructs," I add. "Invisible. But there."
"I don't need—" Kaelis starts.
"Non-negotiable," we both say at once.
Then glare at each other for saying the same thing.
Kieran and Kaelis burst out laughing.
"You two are doing it again," Kieran says.
"The synchronized protective boyfriend thing," Kaelis adds.
"It's adorable," they say together.
Then look at each other and laugh harder.
Ravion and I exchange glances. Sigh in unison.
Which makes the twins laugh even harder.
"We're never going to live this down," Ravion mutters.
"Never," I agree.
---
Three days later, Kaelis rides into Arventis.
I watch through water-scrying. Unable to be there physically, but monitoring every second.
He's magnificent.
Silver hair gleaming in sunlight. Storm-grey eyes hard as diamonds. Dressed in royal armor—black and silver, announcing his status.
The Crown Prince has returned.
The nobles gather. Whispering. Nervous.
They know. Some of them know.
Kaelis dismounts in the castle courtyard. Servants scatter. Guards salute uncertainly.
He walks straight into the throne room.
Where a dozen nobles wait. The Queen's Council. The ones who helped Isolde rule.
"Prince Kaelis," Lord Torren says. The oldest. The most powerful. "We're… glad you've returned. We heard about your… ordeal."
"My ordeal." Kaelis' voice is ice. "Is that what we're calling it? My kidnapping? My torture? The attempt on my life?"
"We had no idea Queen Isolde would—"
"Would WHAT?" Kaelis interrupts. "Murder my real mother? Throw my twin brother into a forest to die? Poison my father? Spend twenty-two years LYING to me?"
The nobles go silent.
"That's right," Kaelis continues. "I know EVERYTHING. Queen Seraphina was my real mother. King Aldric was my father. Isolde MURDERED them. And some of you—" His eyes scan the room. "—HELPED HER."
"We didn't—" Lord Torren starts.
"SILENCE." Kaelis' voice booms. "You will speak when I permit it. Right now, you will LISTEN."
He climbs the steps. Sits on the throne. His father's throne.
"I am Kaelis Drayden. Son of Queen Seraphina and King Aldric. True heir to the throne of Arventis." His eyes blaze. "And I am TAKING MY KINGDOM BACK."
Through the scrying water, I watch the nobles bow.
Some reluctantly.
Some eagerly.
Some with relief.
"Those of you who helped Isolde," Kaelis continues. "You have one chance. ONE. Come forward. Confess. Tell me everything you know. Everything you did. And I will show mercy."
Silence.
"Or don't," Kaelis says softly. "And I'll find out anyway. And when I do, there will be no mercy. No second chances. Only justice."
Three nobles step forward.
Then two more.
Then Lord Torren himself.
They confess. Everything. The murder. The cover-up. The lies. The years of helping Isolde maintain control.
Kaelis listens. Face expressionless.
When they're done: "You're all under arrest. Pending trial. You will be held in comfortable but secure quarters. You will be treated fairly. And you will await judgment."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lord Torren says quietly.
"Don't thank me yet." Kaelis stands. "The trial will determine your fate. And it won't be gentle."
The nobles are led away.
Kaelis stands alone on the throne.
His kingdom.
His responsibility.
His burden.
Through the water, I wish I could be there. Hold him. Tell him he doesn't have to do this alone.
But he DOES have to do it alone.
Because he's not just a prince anymore.
He's a KING.
And kings face their kingdoms alone.
But he's not alone in the bigger sense.
He has me. Has Kieran. Has Ravion. Has family.
And when this is over—when justice is served, when the kingdom is stabilized, when Isolde is found—
He'll come home.
To the Tidelands.
To me.
And I'll be waiting.