After the emotional storm in the medical tent, I needed to check on Kaelen. The summit was reaching a critical point, and I knew he'd be neck-deep in negotiations. Walking across the Silverholm compound, I spotted him emerging from the main council building, tablet in hand and a rare smile playing on his lips.
"Hey," I called out, quickening my pace to catch up with him. "How'd it go in there?"
Kaelen slipped his free arm around my waist, pulling me close. "Better than expected. One of the human government officials we contacted has responded. Favorably."
My heart leapt. "Really? Which one?"
"A regional governor from the coastal territories." He guided me toward a secluded bench beneath a flowering tree. "She's expressed interest in formal talks, away from the media spotlight. It's tentative, but it's the first positive human response we've received."
I couldn't contain my smile. "That's huge, Kaelen."
