The chamber was alive with fire.
He stood at the center, a figure wrapped in flame and fury. Embers flickered from his shoulders like feathers, and his coal-dark hair sparked with glowing red strands. His eyes burned molten gold, their intensity enough to make Lila freeze in place.
"You're the girl they summoned," he said, his voice crackling like burning wood.
"I'm Lila," she answered, forcing herself not to back away. "The one chosen by the spirits."
He snorted, unimpressed. "Spirits are fools. You are not Elira. You are untrained, untested, and weak."
She clenched her fists. "Maybe. But I'm still here."
The Fire King's gaze sharpened. "Bravery, at least."
He circled her slowly, measuring her with every step. "The boy, Cassian. You wish to save him?"
"Yes," she said, steady. "He's important to the kingdom."
"And to you?" His voice lowered, dangerously soft.
Lila hesitated. "I… I don't know. But I feel like he matters. To this place. To me."
A grin curled his lips, fierce, almost pleased. "Then listen well, child of ash. The curse upon him was not born of mere sorcery. It was forged in fire. Betrayer's fire."
Lila's stomach dropped. "What does that mean?"
"It means someone close to him, someone he trusted, helped cast it."
Her heart pounded. "Who?"
The Fire King shrugged. "That is for you to uncover. I show the path. You must walk it."
Lila stepped forward. "Then teach me. Let me fight back."
He raised his hand. A flame bloomed in his palm, twisting and alive. "You would wield fire, little spark?"
She met his gaze. "If it means protecting him, yes."
"Then touch it."
The heat rolled toward her in waves. Every part of her screamed not to move closer, but she did. She reached out, and as her fingers met the flame, pain shot through her palm, sharp and searing.
She gasped—but didn't pull away.
Then, slowly, the pain faded. The flame wrapped itself around her hand like a ribbon and sank into her skin. Her veins glowed gold-red, then dimmed.
Lila stared, stunned. "What was that?"
"A seed," the Fire King said. "My mark. A beginning. Call my name, and fire will answer."
"What's your name?"
He grinned, sharp as a blade. "Ashkar."
When she returned to Cassian's room that night, she didn't speak. She just sat quietly beside him, heart still pounding.
After a long silence, Cassian said, "I felt something. Like a storm… made of flame."
"It was fire," Lila whispered. "He gave me a piece of it."
Cassian nodded. "Then the spirits truly are with you."
She turned toward him, her voice softer. "Cassian… the curse. The Fire King said it wasn't just magic. It was betrayal."
His hands stilled. "I know."
She blinked. "You do?"
"There were whispers before the attack. Shadows in the court. My father warned me… but I didn't listen." His voice tightened. "One of our own sold us out."
Lila leaned closer. "Then we'll find them. Together."
He didn't answer—but in the stillness, something shifted. A trust, small and new, beginning to grow.
Later that night, alone in her chamber, Lila stared at her palm. The flame-mark pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat. The elements were waking. The spirits were watching. And she was no longer powerless.
The fire had chosen her.
Now, it was time to rise.
End of Chapter 6