The wind howled through the narrow mountain pass as Seraphina and Cassian continued eastward. Jagged cliffs loomed on either side, and the path was barely wide enough for their horses.
"Remind me again why we didn't take the southern road?" Seraphina muttered, shivering as snowflakes began to fall.
Cassian glanced at her with a smirk. "Because the southern road is crawling with Malrec's scouts. And you insisted on not dying this week."
"I also insisted on keeping all my fingers," she snapped, hugging her cloak tighter. "My toes are gone. I can't feel them anymore."
Cassian chuckled. "When this is over, I'll make sure you get a warm bath and enough blankets to bury yourself alive."
"Tempting," she murmured. "And maybe some of those honey cakes I like."
He raised an eyebrow. "You remembered food? While running from dark warlords and cursed prophecies?"
"I'm still a princess," she said, chin lifting defiantly. "And I happen to like honey cakes more than doom."
Cassian laughed again, but it faded quickly. "We'll find a safe place to rest tonight. Just over that ridge."
She nodded, falling quiet. After a moment, she spoke softly. "Cassian... do you think I'll be able to control it? The Everflame?"
He didn't answer right away.
"I think…" he finally said, "...the flame is part of you. But it doesn't define you. You do."
"But what if it burns through me? What if I become what the vision showed?"
Cassian stopped his horse and turned to face her. "Then I'll stop you."
Seraphina blinked. "You'll stop me?"
"If it comes to that," he said, his voice low but steady. "But I don't believe it will. Because I've seen your heart, Seraphina. And I trust it more than any prophecy."
Her chest tightened. "Why do you always say the right things?"
He gave a crooked grin. "Because you need to hear them."
They reached the ridge, and a small cave came into view—hidden behind a curtain of vines and frost.
Cassian helped her dismount. "We'll camp here."
Inside, the cave was surprisingly warm. A glowing stone embedded in the wall pulsed with gentle heat.
"Old ember magic," Cassian said, noticing her stare. "Still flickering after all these years."
Seraphina sat down, pulling off her gloves and holding her hands to the warmth.
"Cassian?" she asked after a moment.
"Yeah?"
"Back at the flame grove... you said you'd burn beside me."
He looked away for a beat. "I did."
"Did you mean it?"
He hesitated, then nodded. "I've followed you into battle, into danger, into destiny. I'd follow you into fire, too."
The silence stretched between them.
Then she whispered, "You're more than just my guard, aren't you?"
He turned to her, eyes dark and unreadable. "I stopped being just your guard a long time ago."
Seraphina's breath caught. She opened her mouth, but no words came. The air was too heavy, too fragile.
Before either of them could speak again, a low growl echoed from deeper in the cave.
They both sprang to their feet.
"What was that?" she asked, eyes wide.
Cassian drew his sword, stepping in front of her. "Stay behind me."
From the shadows, two glowing eyes emerged.
Seraphina gasped. "That's not an animal…"
A creature of smoke and bone slithered into view, wearing a crown of frost.
Cassian narrowed his eyes. "A shadow beast. Sent by Malrec."
Seraphina stepped forward. "Then let's send it back."
Cassian glanced at her. "You sure you're ready?"
She looked at her hands, then at the creature. "No. But I'm done running."
Together, they faced the beast—flame and steel ready to strike.
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