Kingdom of Ash

The word was more of a question, subtle
and sorrowful.
Together. As father and son. As the two
warriors they were.
Gavriel—his father. He had come.
And looking at those tawny eyes, Aedion
knew it was not for Aelin, or for Terrasen, that
his father had done it.
“Together,” Aedion rasped.
Not just this obstacle. Not just this battle.
But whatever would come afterward, should
they survive. Together.
Aedion could have sworn something like
joy and pride filled Gavriel’s eyes. Joy and
pride and sorrow, heavy and old.
Aedion strode back to the line of the Bane,
motioning the soldier beside him to make
room for Gavriel to join their formation. One
great push now, and they’d secure the gate.
Their army would enter through the southern