The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 166

The next Day.

The morning sun cast a soft golden hue over the Ravensmoor Cemetery, bathing the marble graves in silence and sorrow. Jaden stood there, hands tucked behind his back, a bouquet of white lilies resting gently on his mother’s headstone. Beside him, his little sister Julie knelt, tears slipping silently down her cheeks as she placed a second bouquet of roses next to his.

"Mom," Jaden said quietly, his voice steady but low. "I’ve avenged your death. The Thornfells are gone. Agatha... is no more."

Julie sniffled, her voice trembling. "Mom... I miss you. But I’m okay. Brother’s been taking care of me. I just... I wish you could see us now."

Jaden bent down, wrapped an arm around her, and pulled her close. "She sees us, Julie. She's watching. And I swear on her grave... no one will ever hurt you again."

They stood in silence, wind rustling through the leaves, the weight of a decade of pain finally lifting.

A moment later, Jaden stood up, his expression shifting from soft grief to grim resolve. "I have to go, Julie. There’s something in Ironvale I need to take care of. It’s important."

Julie clutched his sleeve, tears brimming again. "Do you really have to go? Can’t you stay, just a little longer?"

He crouched down, brushing her hair back. "I have to. But I promise I’ll be back. You need to stay here, focus on school. I have plans for you, big ones."

"What kind of plans?"

Jaden smirked faintly. "You’ll see when you’re older. But for now, just be a kid. Study hard. Make Mom proud. Make me proud."

They hugged tightly, a long, lingering embrace neither of them wanted to end. Then, Jaden stood and turned away, eyes hardening with every step.

Jaden looked out the window, Ravenmoor slowly shrinking below. "She needs to finish her studies. She deserves a normal life, at least for a little while. And when she's ready... I have something for her. Everything the Thornfells owned. It’ll be hers."

Kaelus gave a rare smile. "That’s thoughtful of you, my king."

Jaden exhaled, eyes suddenly distant. "Can I see it? The photo... of my daughter. And her mother?"

Kaelus handed over a secure tablet. On the screen, a beautiful woman smiled under the sun, holding the hand of a small girl—no more than five years old.

Jaden stared, his thumb tracing the edge of the screen.