nto her training, using the fire inside her as a way to numb the pain. Every spark, every flame that flicke

the Drakon who watched her from the shadows. They no longer treated her as the outsider she had once been. The fire magic coursing throu

dlessly above her, and the wind carried with it the scent of distant fires and smoke. Below, the Drakon gathered in their thousands, preparing for t

mind. She knew it wasn't just about her and Kael anymore. It was about saving the world, about ending the war and bringing balance to the realms. But the more

breath against her skin. But every time she reached for him in her mind, the cold wall between them r

he whispered to herself. "I h

ue. She had already learned that her path was never meant to b

ed to see Selya approaching. The fire acolyte's presence was a com

said softly, her eyes filled with co

turning back toward the

er, gazing out at the r

respond. She couldn't talk about him, not wit

ghts. "But he's burdened. You must know that. His heart is

pered. "But it doesn

e was quiet but firm. "Love is never easy, Aria. But dut

at her. "And what abo

to find your own strength. Not the strength of the Drakon, or the wolves. You

lare beneath her skin. "I'm not ready for this," she admitted, her voi

fidence. "The fire within you is not something to fear. It

rds, but a small spark of hope ignited deep within her. Maybe, j

fill the space, commanding attention without even trying. His golden armor gleamed in the torchlig

hem seemed to shrink. But only for a moment. Kael's gaze qu

e," Aria said, her voice steady

Kael replied, his voic

eeting his gaze head-on.

he spoke, his words laced with emotion. "I want you to know that I care ab

known this was coming, but hearing it from his

here?" she asked, h

thick with emotion. "I'm torn between my duty to my peo

r resolve hardening. "Then w

d, but he said nothi

in the air. The fire inside her flared once more, not in anger, but in determination. She coul

hing, and it was time to t