The words stung because they came from a place of fear, not cruelty. Kael was terrified of losing me. Of something happening while we were apart.
I understood that fear. Shared it, even.
But I couldn't let it paralyze me.
"I'm going," I said quietly. "With or without your blessing. If my father is really dying, I need to be there. To stop it if I can, or to say goodbye if I can't. Either way, I'm going."
Kael stared at me, anger and fear warring in his expression. "I hate how stubborn you are."
"You've mentioned that before."
"And yet you never listen." He closed his eyes briefly. "Three days. You take a full guard escort, Elena for magical protection, and you're back in three days whether you've solved anything or not. That's non-negotiable."
"Three days might not be enough—"
"Three days or I send the entire royal army to drag you back. Choose."
