The Forbidden Son of Saint Caldzand

Abel was never meant to matter.  Life in his quiet, run-down village should be simple: keep his down, stay out of trouble and help his mother. In the small Kingdom of Saint Caldzand where magic runs through noble bloodlines, villagers like Abel are meant to live and die quietly. He would've been content with that, except a violent vision of a mysterious man breaks the fragile safety he's relied on. Hiding is no longer possible.  Forced on a journey south toward the safety of his mother's family, Abel finds himself in a world dictated by a father he never knew and a legacy his mother has tried to keep hidden.  The shadows of the past close in, a mysterious figure draws Abel into a web of noble intrigue, buried truths, and generational wounds, all while he struggles to understand who he is and what he truely wants.  But destiny always has its way no matter how much he denies it. Abel will need to become someone who can shape the very kingdom he's been trying to hide from.  This is a slower paced, character-driven fantasy featuring bloodline magic, noble intrigue and a coming-of-age shaped by secrecy, exploring themes of identity, fatherhood and self-acceptance. I'm nearly done with the book and I don't want to rush polishing the ending. Unfortunately, it's a struggle. I'll update when I can.