The morning sun filtered through a veil of clouds, casting a dim light over the kingdom. Seraphina stood by the balcony, her hands gripping the stone railing as if it were the only thing holding her together.
A soft knock broke the silence.
"Come in," she said, not turning around.
Cassian stepped in, his boots silent against the polished floor. "You didn't sleep."
"Neither did the kingdom," she replied. "They can feel it. The change. The fear."
He came to stand beside her. "We have a few days, maybe less. The council is meeting at midday. They want you there."
Seraphina sighed. "To do what? Smile and pretend everything's fine? I saw the Moonmarked with my own eyes, Cassian. He knows who I am. He knows about the Everflame."
"I know," Cassian said, voice tight. "And if he comes for you, we won't let him reach you."
She turned to face him, anger flashing in her eyes. "You can't protect me from this. Not from a prophecy. Not from fire buried inside me I can't control."
Cassian didn't flinch. "Maybe not. But I'll stand beside you anyway."
Seraphina's expression softened. "That's the problem, Cassian. I don't want you to burn because of me."
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Then let me choose to stand in the fire."
---
By midday, the council chamber buzzed with nervous energy. Lords and scholars argued over strategy, over legends, over fear.
"The Moonmarked hasn't crossed the border yet. We still have time," one advisor said.
"Time?" Seraphina snapped. "He was in our garden last night. He's already here."
Murmurs filled the hall.
An old mage stepped forward, his voice slow and grave. "Then the Everflame must be awakened before he does. If he reaches it first—"
"Stop," Seraphina said. "You talk like it's a weapon I can just draw from a sheath. I don't even know how to reach it."
Another advisor frowned. "Then perhaps we should find someone who does. A guide. The prophecy mentions the Watcher of the Emberstone."
Cassian leaned toward her. "You said the masked man spoke of promises. Maybe the Emberstone is part of it."
Seraphina nodded slowly. "Then we follow the fire."
---
That night, Seraphina met Cassian in the stables.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked as he helped her into the saddle.
"No," she admitted. "But I can't wait anymore. The Moonmarked moves closer every day. If I'm going to stop him, I need to understand what's inside me."
Cassian climbed onto his own horse. "Then we ride east. Toward the old flame temples."
As they set off into the night, Seraphina looked back at the palace one last time. The warmth of its towers, the safety of its walls—all fading into darkness.
Cassian noticed her hesitation. "You'll come back stronger."
She looked ahead, eyes narrowing. "I have to."
---
In the shadows beyond the trees, a figure watched them ride.
The Moonmarked's voice was like wind through leaves. "Run to your fate, Lightbearer. I'll be waiting."
---