Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Rafael's expression darkened, though not out of jealousy he was more annoyed that Barrett was being so thoughtless.

Carissa had just come from an audience with the king, and Barrett had the audacity to stop her and ask questions. Didn't he realize that the royal study wasn't just full of palace servants? Ministers and officials were coming and going, too. "I didn't pay him much mind," Carissa said, "but it surprised me that he'd still ask about Aurora."

"Forget him," Rafael muttered, then opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace. "Let's go get Ryan."

As the carriage rolled on, the golden hues of the setting sun filtered through the curtains and cast a warm glow on their faces, as if the world itself had been dusted with sunlight.

When they arrived at the academy, Dylan parked the carriage and went inside to fetch Ryan. Moments later, he returned, guiding Ryan out to the carriage.

Ryan had matured noticeably. When he had first started at the academy, he would have bounded out of the gates at the sight of his aunt and uncle. Now, though still visibly excited, he walked out in a proper and orderly manner. Once inside the carriage, he greeted his uncle politely before immediately burying himself in his aunt's arms.

"Aunt Carissa, today my teacher praised me," he said, his voice bubbling with pride. "He said my writing was good."

Carissa took a handkerchief from her bag and gently wiped Ryan's face, smiling. "Oh? You're writing now?"

"Yes!" Ryan nodded eagerly, then pulled several sheets of paper from his bag and handed them to her. "Aunt Carissa, look! This is what I wrote."

neat and

was a bit rough, naturally. The words were simple and the structure lacked sophistication, but the clarity of thought was evident. It was clear that Ryan had a quick mind, his thoughts flowing steadily from one point to the next. Once she finished, she showed it to Rafael,

the palace tomorrow," he said. "Let him have a meal with

lit up. "I like going to the palace! Her Majesty is

here. Let me see if

blinking his bright eyes. "No, I

resembled her second brother's so closely, and a pang of emotion tightened her chest. She tapped his nose lightly. "Your uncle

excitement. "Really? I've wanted those for

handing him the

little glutton,"

pastries, tearing open the paper bag and taking a big bite.

exchanged a look, both

from Hell Monarch Estate made its way to the

her siste were starting to get tired of seeing each other so often. Helen believed

warm.