“It’s a miracle!” whispers were heard throughout the room.
“Our king is back!”
“The curse is broken!”
“We’re free!”
I stepped back from Mal and cleared my throat, looking around at the faces of men I’d thought I’d lost forever. They were all here, all themselves again, all looking at me with the loyalty and respect I’d never thought I’d deserve.
“It’s good to see you all, and it’s good to be back in Aerith Kingdom,” I said, my voice carrying across the room. “I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know what was happening here. I thought my son was leading our people to a bright future, only to discover he was sunk in darkness.”
I shook my head, looking at each council member individually. These men had served my father, had helped me learn to rule, had been like uncles to me growing up. Seeing
