The End Won’t Take Him : Ashes of the Last Light

Chapter 20

The ring was too big.

Literally. It slid off my finger twice during breakfast. Once into my eggs. Once onto the floor. Both times with the clatter of judgment echoing down the Grand Duke's fortress-length dining table.

Kael, seated at the far end like a beautifully brooding statue of war crimes, finally said, "It's enchanted to resize."

I held it up between two fingers. "Then it's failing its one job."

He blinked slowly, like someone mentally rewriting the laws of enchantment. "That's impossible."

Across from me, Elias muttered, "Maybe it's trying to flee."

Neither of us responded.

We were too tired.

It had been a week since we arrived at Kael's estate—a towering structure of black stone, precision gardens, and silence so thick it could be bottled and weaponized.

Seven days of nobles dropping by unannounced, bringing "gifts" that reeked of veiled threats:

Wine from vineyards rumored to be cursed by famine witches

Books titled The Weight of Duty: Surviving Loveless Arrangements

And a mirror blessed by a seer who'd predicted her own beheading

Kael hadn't reacted to any of it.

He just accepted, nodded, and stared people into apology.

I, on the other hand, had nearly cracked three times and had one near-laughing fit I barely disguised as a coughing fit.

But today was worse.

Because today was the official engagement announcement.

The balcony overlooked Kael's inner courtyard, where nobles and house captains gathered in full formal attire. It was a sea of suspicion, expensive tailoring, and judgmental side-eyes.

Kael stood beside me in military dress—silver trim, dark armor at the shoulders, and a sword that radiated "yes, I use this." He didn't smile. He didn't frown. He just… existed with purpose.

I wore emerald silk because politics demanded I look like a reward instead of a rogue strategist with too many contingency plans and a sugar problem.

Kael's voice was clear and unshakable.

"Lady Clarisse Arven and I are now formally pledged in engagement under contract."

His hand settled lightly over mine. Not tender. Not possessive. Just there.

Symbolic. Controlled.

I smiled like I hadn't just lied to half the empire.

Elias stood behind us, arms crossed like a tiny bodyguard ready to throw hands with aristocracy.

A noblewoman near the front lifted her chin, voice honey-sweet. "And how did you two meet?"

I opened my mouth to say something neutral.

Elias beat me to it.

"She blackmailed him."

The entire balcony went still.

Kael blinked once, very slowly.

I coughed violently into my fan. "He's joking. So creative. Children, right?"

"I'm not," Elias added.

Kael didn't contradict him.

The crowd started murmuring. Some looked scandalized. Others impressed.

The noblewoman just smiled tightly. "Ah. Refreshing honesty. How provincial."

Kael's hand twitched. Barely. But I caught it.

Elias leaned closer to me and whispered, "Do I need to set something on fire?"

"No."

"Just a little fire?"

"Not until dessert."

After the announcement, we retreated indoors.

Kael walked ahead. Elias shadowed behind. I lingered in the middle, wondering what kind of woman lies her way into a noble alliance, gets a child involved in the act, and somehow still ends up liking both of them more than she should.

Oh right. Me.

This was going to get complicated.

Fast.

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End of Chapter 20