The siege raged on for days, with Vorthal's forces relentless in their assault. Kael fought alongside his soldiers, leading them in battle as waves of enemy soldiers crashed against their defenses.
But the real turning point came when Eiran unleashed his magic.
Standing atop the battlements, Eiran chanted an ancient spell, his voice rising above the chaos.
His hands moved in intricate patterns, and a glowing barrier of violet light formed over the castle walls, deflecting enemy arrows and spells alike.
The soldiers of Norvayne cheered, their morale boosted by the mage's power. But Eiran's magic came at a cost. With each spell, Kael noticed the strain it placed on him.
Eiran's face grew paler, his breaths more labored, but he never faltered.
One night, after a particularly brutal assault, Kael found Eiran in the war room, his head in his hands."You're pushing yourself too hard," Kael said, his voice gentle.
Eiran didn't look up. "If I don't, we'll lose."Kael stepped closer, placing a hand on Eiran's shoulder.
"We won't. Not as long as we fight together."Eiran finally lifted his gaze, and for a brief moment, the weight of the world seemed to fade.
In that instant, Kael realized just how deeply his feelings for Eiran had grown.
But before he could say anything, a soldier burst into the room, breathless."Your Majesty, the enemy has breached the eastern wall!"Kael's heart sank.
The siege wasn't over, and neither was the battle for his kingdom.