Emberlight – The Next Morning
Steam drifted lazily from ceramic cups as Kael, Aeris, and Princess Elanir sat within a private chamber above the Old Flame Inn. Sunlight filtered through stained glass, painting their faces in hues of amber and rose. Between them sat a silver-trimmed map of the continent, its aged parchment marked with crests, scars, and bloodlines.
Elanir traced a slender finger along the eastern coast. "If the Star-Eaters breach the Hollow Range, the central kingdoms will fall within the season. My mother believes you are the last fire that can burn them back."
Kael's crimson eyes narrowed. "Your mother also believes I can be used."
Aeris smirked faintly. "She's not wrong. Just not in the way she thinks."
Elanir's expression flickered, just for a moment. "She seeks your alliance. I… seek something else."
Her gaze lingered on Kael a heartbeat longer than necessary.
Kael leaned back, arms folded. "Then let's stop dancing and speak plainly. What do you want, Princess?"
Elanir's voice softened. "I want to know the truth of the man behind the myths. I want to see if the Flameborn is still a man of honor… or just a shadow of his former fury."
A beat of silence passed. Then Kael chuckled.
"Careful, Elanir. Curiosity is a spark. And sparks tend to catch fire."
---
Courtyard – Training Grounds
Seraphine's blade danced under the afternoon sun, her movements sharper, surer. Velira sparred with her now, the half-oni's twin daggers a blur of silver.
"You're hesitating again," Velira barked, narrowly sidestepping a slash. "What's wrong, vamp-girl? Scared you'll hurt me?"
"I'm not scared," Seraphine growled, lunging.
Velira parried, their blades locking. "Then prove it. Stop pulling your damn punches."
Seraphine shoved forward with a growl—this time her strike connected. Velira grunted, falling back a step, but her grin widened.
"Now that's more like it."
Ryn, watching from the sideline with her fox ears twitching, clapped lazily. "That was hot. You two need a room, or can I join next?"
Seraphine flushed, wiping sweat from her brow. "You're incorrigible."
"I know," Ryn said, winking.
---
The Eastern Wastes
Wind shrieked through the canyons of the Hollow Range as scouts from the Free Cities made camp. But the firelight offered no warmth that night.
Captain Yevan stared into the embers. His men were restless—each night, they dreamed of obsidian skies and whispering stars.
Then, without warning, silence fell. The wind died.
And they came.
The Star-Eaters didn't walk—they glided. Dozens, hundreds—silhouettes like shattered angels, mouths sewn shut, trailing black mist.
By the time Yevan reached for his blade, he was already dreaming.
Dreaming of fire… and a name.
Kael.
---
Later That Night – Emberlight
The moon rode high above Emberlight, casting silver shadows across the rooftops. Within the master suite of the Old Flame Inn, Kael stood before an open window, crimson cloak flowing behind him.
A soft knock broke the silence.
He turned. Elanir stood at the threshold, wearing a silk robe the color of starlight.
"I couldn't sleep," she murmured.
Kael raised a brow. "Neither could I."
She stepped forward, closing the door gently behind her. The tension between them was taut as a bowstring.
"You've seen much," she whispered, standing close. "But how much have you felt, Flameborn? How long has it been since someone… touched you with warmth, not fear?"
Her hand brushed against his chest—hesitant, testing.
Kael said nothing.
Elanir leaned in—then stopped, lips just inches from his. Her breath was warm against his mouth.
"I'm not here for your past," she whispered. "Only for you."
Their kiss was slow. Deliberate. Her lips soft, her body pressing against him as his arms encircled her waist. She trembled—but not with fear.
They made their way to the bed in silence broken only by ragged breathing and rustling silk. Clothes fell like petals. Skin met skin. The night deepened into gasps, moans, the rhythm of heat and promise.
But even in her arms, Kael's eyes stared through the shadows.
Because far away, something had awakened.
And it was looking back.