BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 6: A Mother's Instinct

Kael had just sat down at his desk, the ancient book of forgotten runes laid open before him, when he felt it.

A shift in the air.

A cold prickle at the back of his neck.

A presence he hadn't felt in two months.

His fingers froze over the page as the realization hit.

She was back.

His mother.

Kael barely had time to react before the door to his room swung open without a knock.

A wave of familiar perfume and crisp night air flooded in, followed by a voice smooth as silk yet sharp as a blade.

"Kael, dear, are you hiding from me?"

Kael snapped the book shut so fast he nearly crushed his own fingers. He turned just in time to see Isolde Veyrin stride into the room, her movements effortlessly graceful.

Dressed in a simple black tunic and fitted trousers, she looked far too at ease for someone who had just returned from outmaneuvering an entire kingdom's noble council.

Her violet eyes swept over the room, lingering for half a second too long on the desk behind him before flicking back to his face.

Kael swallowed. She had noticed.

He forced a smile. "Mother. I didn't know you were back."

She sighed dramatically, walking closer. "Two months gone, and my son doesn't even come running to greet me? I should be heartbroken."

Kael opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, his mother's arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a firm—but oddly comfortable—embrace.

It caught him completely off guard.

He wasn't sure what he had been expecting. A teasing remark? A knowing smirk? An immediate interrogation?

Not… this.

"You've gotten taller," Isolde muttered, pressing a hand against the top of his head as if measuring him. "When did that happen?"

Kael hesitated. "I—um—people grow?"

Isolde snorted, pulling back slightly, her violet eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Yes, but you're usually more of a late bloomer."

Kael tensed.

She was too observant.

Isolde tilted her head, eyes flicking toward the desk again. "And what were you doing just now?"

Kael casually shifted to block her view. "Nothing important."

His mother's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Oh? A secret, then?"

Kael immediately regretted his choice of words.

Isolde leaned closer, dropping her voice to a near whisper. "You do realize, dear, that I was an intelligence officer before I married your father? I've interrogated war criminals for lesser crimes than hiding a book from me."

Kael forced himself to stay calm.

He could NOT let her find out about the Arcane Sigil yet.

"I swear, it's nothing," he said, stepping around her and making his way toward the door. "But, uh—shouldn't you be resting after your trip? You must be exhausted!"

Isolde didn't move, just raised an eyebrow. "You're trying to distract me."

Kael tried to look offended. "I would never!"

His mother let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, you definitely would. And you're terrible at it."

Kael sighed. Of course she saw through him.

Before he could come up with a different excuse, Isolde suddenly turned toward the door. "Ah. That must be Elira."

Kael blinked. "What?"

And then he felt it.

A presence lurking just outside the door.

Before he could react, Elira's voice called out.

"Mother, don't let Kael fool you. He's been sneaking around like a little rat these past few days."

Kael whipped toward the door just as it swung open, revealing his sister leaning lazily against the frame, arms crossed, her usual smirk firmly in place.

Traitor.

Isolde perked up. "Oh? Is that so?"

Elira grinned. "Mhm. He's up to something. I can just tell."

Kael wanted to die.

His mother turned back to him, her smirk widening. "Well, well. Now I'm even more curious."

Kael took a step back. "I—it's really not—"

"Don't worry," Isolde cut in smoothly. "I won't pry. Yet."

Kael didn't feel even remotely relieved.

Isolde stepped past him, giving his hair a playful ruffle before heading toward the door. "I'll let you keep your little secrets for now, dear. But don't forget—mothers always find out."

With a final amused glance, she swept out of the room, leaving Elira snickering and Kael wondering if he would ever get away with anything in this family.