For a moment, Lyra just stared at them, as if the words hadn't quite registered in her mind. Then her face lit up with a joy so pure and radiant that it seemed to push back the shadows of everything Kael had experienced.
"Purple?" she breathed. "Purple? Our Kael?"
She set Lisa down and immediately swept Kael into a fierce hug, tears of pride and happiness streaming down her face.
"I knew it," she whispered. "I always knew you were destined for something special. Purple light... oh, my brilliant boy."
Lisa tugged at Kael's pants, not understanding the significance but sensing the excitement. "What's purple? Is it pretty?"
Kael knelt down to scoop up his little sister and spun her around until she giggled.
"It means your big brother is very special," Lyra explained to Lisa, her voice still thick with emotion.
"I already knew that," Lisa declared confidently, making them all laugh.
The sound of approaching footsteps announced the arrival of Ellie, who had clearly been anxiously awaiting their return.
"Master Alaric, Young Master Kael," she said formally, but her relief was evident in her voice. "Thank the gods you're both safe. When you didn't return last night..."
Her eyes met Kael's for just a moment, and something passed between them.
"We're fine, Ellie," Kael assured her, his voice carefully neutral despite the flutter of heat that her gaze had sparked in his chest.
Lyra, still glowing with pride over the awakening news, began ushering everyone toward the house.
"Come, come inside. You both must be exhausted, and I want to hear everything about the testing ceremony. Ellie, please prepare a special breakfast—we have much to celebrate!"
As they moved toward the door, Kael caught another glance from Ellie, this one lingering on his face with something that might have been hunger. The events of the night, the deal with Arthur, the knowledge he now carried—all of it seemed to fade for a moment under the promise in her eyes.
The family settled around the dining table, the warm smell of bread and sizzling meat beginning to drift from the kitchen. Lyra was excited beyond measure, her voice glowing with pride as she pressed Kael for details about the testing ceremony. Lisa giggled beside him, swinging her legs under the table, her small hand clutching Kael's sleeve.
Ellie moved behind the counter, her back turned to them as she worked. The morning light streaming through the window caught her figure, outlining the generous curve beneath the plain dress she wore.
Kael's gaze slipped, locking onto the swell of her ass as she bent slightly to stir a pot.
His cock hardened, swelling inside his trousers with a sudden urgency he couldn't control. The memory of her lips wrapped around him — the heat, the helpless sounds she had made when he guided her head — crashed into him with vicious clarity.
He shifted in his seat, careful to keep Lisa distracted with a smile but his eyes flicked back to Ellie again and again. She was silent as she worked, yet every movement of her body felt deliberate — the sway of her hips, the faint arch of her back.
Was it intentional, or was his mind just twisting everything through the lens of what had already passed between them?
Ellie turned briefly, carrying a tray of dishes toward the table. For the briefest instant her eyes caught Kael's. She placed the food carefully before Lyra, then stepped back, hands folded in front of her apron.
His cock throbbed. He clenched his jaw and forced himself to focus on the conversation at the table.
After few minutes, Lyra finally shifted her attention to Alaric. Kael found an opportunity and smoothly, he excused himself from the table, careful to keep his movements casual.
He slipped into the kitchen, the smell of frying bacon and warm bread filling the air. Ellie was bent over the counter, completely unaware of his approach until he was just behind her.
She jumped slightly at his sudden presence. "Young Master… you scared me," she murmured, her voice a mix of surprise and something else — something warmer that made Kael's pulse spike.
Kael's hands hovered just above her waist, careful not to touch too soon, just letting her feel his presence. "You know I wouldn't hurt you," he said, his voice low and teasing.
Ellie swallowed, her fingers tightening on the edge of the counter. "I… I wasn't expecting you here," she whispered, but there was a tremor in her voice, betraying the flutter of excitement she was trying to hide.
Kael let his eyes roam over her, lingering on the curve of her neck where a few stray hair rested peacefully.