Kael approached the dimly lit table where Eli and Enzo sat. The tavern's noise faded into the background as he focused on the two men—opposite in every way. Eli, thin and twitchy, fidgeted constantly with a quill in his hand, barely able to keep his gaze steady. Enzo, on the other hand, was the picture of composure, a muscular man who leaned back in his chair, cigar smoke curling lazily around his face, his eyes half-lidded but always watchful.

Kael stopped at the edge of the table, his presence commanding without needing to speak. Arto lingered a step behind, his discomfort evident in the way he shifted on his feet.

"You're the archer?" Enzo asked, his voice deep, rumbling like distant thunder. He didn't bother looking Kael up and down—his casual indifference was the mark of someone used to danger.

"I am," Kael replied, his tone sharp and direct. "You need someone who can hit their mark, no questions asked. That's me."

Eli's eyes darted nervously between Kael and Enzo, his fingers fumbling to straighten the map that lay before them on the table. "This—this is a delicate situation," Eli stammered, his voice thin. "It's not just about shooting arrows, you understand. We need precision, timing—discretion."

"I understand perfectly," Kael said, leaning over the table slightly. "Tell me where, and tell me how much."

Enzo took a long drag of his cigar, letting the silence hang for a moment before answering. "Half now," he said slowly, pulling a small pouch of coins from his jacket and tossing it on the table. The heavy clink of metal on wood filled the space between them. "The rest after the job's done. We meet at the bell tower in 3 days time at midnight. The tallest building in town. You know the one?"

Kael's eyes flicked to the pouch briefly before nodding. "I know it."

"That's where we'll give you the details," Enzo continued, his tone nonchalant, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Like my friend here said"—he gestured to Eli—"this job isn't about making a mess. You're just the arrow. We're the ones aiming it."

Arto, standing just behind Kael, shifted uncomfortably. His voice came out quietly, laced with suspicion. "And what exactly are we aiming at? You say it's delicate—what does that mean?"

Eli twitched, glancing at Enzo as if unsure whether to speak. Enzo, exhaling smoke, gave a small, amused smile. "Don't worry, kid. You'll find out soon enough. Just make sure you're not  a moment late."

Kael straightened, his eyes locked on Enzo's. "I'll be there. 3 days time. Midnight."

Arto tugged at Kael's sleeve, pulling him a step back from the table. "Kael," he muttered under his breath, "I don't like this. These guys....there's something off."

Kael didn't look at him but spoke low and steady. "It's not about liking it, Arto. It's about getting the job done."

Enzo's smirk widened slightly as he watched the two interact, flicking ash from his cigar onto the floor. "Smart man," he said, his voice thick with amusement. "Just make sure you keep that sharp wit of yours. You're going to need it."

Eli, still fidgeting, hastily scribbled something down on a scrap of paper before pushing it toward Kael. "Coordinates. The bell tower, like Enzo said. Be there on time, or it's off." His nervous eyes flickered between Kael and Enzo, like a man in the wrong place but too deep to back out.

Kael took the scrap of paper without a word, slipping it into his pocket. He grabbed the pouch of coins from the table, its weight reassuring in his hand, before turning to leave. Arto hesitated for a moment, casting one last wary glance at the two men before following Kael out of the tavern.

As they stepped outside into the cool night air, Arto finally spoke. "Kael....something's wrong. Those guys don't feel like they're just dealing with local problems. It's bigger than that."

Kael's expression remained unreadable, his eyes scanning the street. "Maybe," he said quietly. "But we'll find out soon enough."

Ondina awoke suddenly, her heart racing. The fragments of a dream—the flicker of strange images, shadows, whispers—slipped away before she could grasp them. She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to steady her breath. There was an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach, but she couldn't place it.

The door creaked open, and Caroline's cheerful face appeared. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" she chirped, stepping inside. "You've got a busy day ahead, so let's get moving."

Ondina groaned softly, rubbing her eyes. "I had the strangest dream, but I can't even remember it. It's... unsettling."

Caroline smiled, unbothered. "That's probably just the stress. You've been through a lot. Come on, let's not keep Kiernan waiting. Breakfast is already set, and you know how he is."

Ondina rolled out of bed, still feeling the weight of the dream that lingered at the edge of her consciousness. Caroline helped her get dressed, and soon enough, they were walking down the long corridors of the estate.

As they passed through, the staff greeted Ondina with smiles, nods, and even some overly enthusiastic waves. "Good morning, Lady Ondina!" a maid called out cheerfully.

Another chimed in, "You look radiant today!"

Ondina smiled back, her heart warming at their friendliness, but a small nagging thought crept into her mind. Why are they all so... eager today? She had noticed their politeness before, but this felt different. More personal. Almost rehearsed.

She glanced at Caroline, who was chatting happily about her own morning routine. Ondina considered asking her about it but decided to let it go. Maybe she was just overthinking everything—still shaken from her dream.

They rounded a corner, and there, in the large, sunlit dining hall, Kiernan was waiting for her. He stood by the window, the morning light casting a golden hue across his figure. His eyes, sharp and knowing, turned to her as soon as she stepped inside.

"Good morning, Ondina," Kiernan said, his voice smooth as ever. He gave her that familiar, cocky smile, one that carried a hint of amusement—like he knew something she didn't.

Ondina, trying to shake off the remnants of her unease, nodded. "Good morning."

Kiernan's eyes travelled over her, assessing her as always, but there was something else behind his gaze today. "You're looking well-rested," he remarked, almost too casually.

Ondina raised an eyebrow at Kiernan's remark, catching the subtle tone in his voice. "Well-rested? Is that your way of saying I looked terrible yesterday?" she quipped, crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair, a playful glint in her eyes.

Kiernan's smirk deepened, the corners of his lips curving upward in that infuriatingly confident way of his. "Not at all. Though now that you mention it, you were looking a bit... weary."

Ondina shot him a look. "Weary? That's rich coming from someone who always looks like they've just stepped out of a battlefield," she said, gesturing to his ever-present dishevelled, yet somehow calculated, appearance.

He chuckled, leaning forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "Well, I'm glad my rugged charm hasn't gone unnoticed. But you, Ondina—you have this glow about you today. Did you have sweet dreams of me?"

Ondina rolled her eyes, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks but refusing to let him see that he was getting to her. "Dream of you? Now that would be a nightmare," she shot back, trying to keep her tone light despite the strange flutter in her stomach.

Kiernan chuckled lowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Careful, Ondina. That sharp tongue of yours might get you into trouble one day."

She arched an eyebrow. "Trouble? I think I'm used to that by now. Besides, if you haven't noticed, I'm not the kind to play it safe."

Kiernan tilted his head slightly, his gaze lingering on her with an intensity that made her feel both challenged and... something else, something far more complicated. "Oh, I've noticed," he said, his voice dropping just enough to make her heart skip. "I like that about you."

Ondina cleared her throat, determined not to let his words affect her. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Kiernan."

He leaned back in his chair, completely at ease, his smirk widening. "Who says I'm trying to go anywhere? I'm just enjoying the view." He let the words hang in the air, his gaze openly appreciative, as if daring her to react.

Ondina, trying to keep her composure, shook her head. "You really don't know when to quit, do you?"

Kiernan gave a casual shrug. "Why would I? You haven't told me to stop."

Their eyes locked again, the tension between them thickening. But Ondina refused to back down, even as her heart raced in her chest. "Maybe I'm just waiting for you to get bored."

Kiernan's smile softened slightly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Trust me, Ondina... you're far too interesting for that."

Ondina snapped back, her eyes narrowing. "Interesting? Is that why you're keeping me around, then? For entertainment?"

Kiernan's mouth opened, but before he could respond, the door to the dining room creaked open and several staff members entered, carrying trays and setting the table for breakfast. For a brief moment, the tension dissipated as they were forced to break eye contact, the intrusion of the staff shifting the atmosphere.

Kiernan glanced at the servants, a subtle, knowing smile playing at his lips, before turning back to Ondina. "Well, it seems we'll have to postpone our debate for now," he said smoothly, his tone much lighter than before. "Besides, I've got more pressing matters to discuss."

Ondina raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What now?"

"Your training," Kiernan replied, the playful gleam in his eyes replaced by something more serious.

"My training?" Ondina echoed, suddenly wary. "What do you mean?"

Kiernan's gaze remained steady, his expression unreadable. "The man who trained me—Sawyer. He's one of the best fighters I know, and he'll push you harder than you've ever been pushed. But trust me, you'll be stronger for it."

Ondina's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kiernan's own trainer. She didn't know much about Sawyer, but from the way Kiernan spoke about him, it was clear he wasn't someone to be taken lightly.

Before she could voice any protest, Kiernan continued, his tone softer, but firm. "This isn't just about learning how to use your powers. It's about survival. If you want your revenge against the Queen, you need to be able to defend yourself from anyone, anywhere. Sawyer will make sure of that."

Ondina felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety bubbling inside her. The thought of learning from the man who had trained Kiernan both intrigued and intimidated her. She knew she couldn't afford to falter now, not when so much was at stake. But she also couldn't shake the feeling that Kiernan was testing her, watching to see how she would handle the pressure.

"And what if I'm not ready for this Sawyer's 'methods'?" Ondina challenged, crossing her arms.

Kiernan's eyes darkened with a hint of amusement. "Oh, you will be," he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Or you'll be walking away from more than just your training."

Ondina's gaze locked onto his, the weight of his words settling heavily on her. But before she could respond, the servants finished setting the table, breaking the tension once again.

"Breakfast first," Kiernan said casually, gesturing toward the food. "You'll need your strength."

Ondina stared at him for a long moment, unsure whether to feel grateful for the reprieve or frustrated by his cryptic words. She knew that today was going to be different, harder than any training session she'd faced before. And from the way Kiernan's gaze lingered on her, she knew he expected her to rise to the challenge.

Ondina took a deep breath, her eyes momentarily drifting away from Kiernan as she reminded herself of why she was doing all of this—why she was going to put herself through endless training and the uneasy, often confusing moments with Kiernan. It wasn't just about revenge or reclaiming her place. It was for Kael, for his family.

Kael, with his unshakable loyalty and quiet strength, had sacrificed so much for her already. He believed in her when no one else did. His family had given her a place to belong when she had none. She owed them more than she could ever repay.

She clenched her fists beneath the table, steeling herself. She would get stronger, not for herself, but for them. For Kael.

Kiernan's voice cut through her thoughts. "You seem deep in thought," he observed, eyes still on her. His casual, almost lazy tone didn't mask the way he studied her, always watching, always calculating.

Ondina straightened, forcing a small, tight smile. "Just mentally preparing myself for Sawyer. You make him sound like a challenge."

Kiernan chuckled, the sound low and amused. "He'll be more than that. But you'll manage." He reached for a cup of tea and sipped it slowly, his eyes never leaving her. "You always do."

Ondina resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She picked up her fork and poked at the food in front of her, but her appetite was non-existent. Her mind was racing too fast, the weight of the morning and the looming training session pressing down on her.

But she had to do this. She couldn't afford to hesitate, not now.

"I'll be fine," she said, more to herself than to him. She would endure whatever Kiernan—and his mysterious Sawyer—threw her way. For Kael. For everything he had done.

Kiernan, his smirk still in place, set his cup down and leaned back in his chair, watching her as if he could read every thought running through her mind. "I have no doubt," he replied, voice smooth and laced with something she couldn't quite place. "After all, you have something to fight for, don't you?"

Ondina's gaze snapped up to meet his, surprised by the directness of his words. She swallowed hard, her heart quickening. Did he know? Could he sense the turmoil inside her?

Before she could respond, Kiernan pushed his chair back and stood, his presence looming over the room. "Finish up," he said, his tone more commanding now. "You'll need your focus today."

Without waiting for her to answer, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the quiet clatter of the servants clearing the table.

Ondina's fingers tightened around her fork. She would focus. She had to.

For Kael. For his family.

And for herself.