the center of the vast chamber, her hands at her sides, the heat of the flames within her simmering just below the surface. The fire ha

een the packs and the Drakon was drawing closer with each passing hour. Kael had been distant-almost cold-and Aria had felt it in ev

ubling times. Selya had said something that had stayed with her: The fire within you is a gift. But like all gifts, it

flames, afraid of losing control, but now she knew she needed to understand them, to merge with them, if she was ever to find the peace she longed for. And ye

dn't need to turn around to know who it was. The intensity of the air around her s

d by the dim glow of the torches lining the walls. His golden eyes met hers, and for a fleeting moment, the wall

o it that made her heart race. His voice was tinged with s

mouth before she could stop them, sharp and cutting. She hated that she had to be so harsh,

ereal glow that made him seem almost god-like, an ancient warrior bound by his destiny. And yet, in that moment, he

hair in frustration. "I don't know how to do this,

posed. For a moment, she wanted to rush to him, to wrap her arms around him and take away his pai

, her voice quieter now, thoug

re of the Drakon. Every part of me is bound to that destiny, to the people who depend on me. But when I look at you... when I see what you've become, what we've becom

him, the pull of duty and desire warring inside his soul. It was the same struggle she h

ing as the flood of emotion she had been holding back surged to the surface. "But I can't

..." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it was filled with a longing that mirrored her own. "I never meant to hurt you. You are more than

nce between them. "And if you don't choose me, Kael? What happens then? Do you think I'll w

tood there, the silence stretching between them like an impenetrable chasm. The heat of the moment swirled around them, a

You deserve more than that. I will find a way to make this work. I will find a wa

in her throat. Was this what she had been waiting

t feared the pain of disappointment. She wasn't sure if she could fully trust his words-not w

e fire inside her raging with both anger and yearning. "Pr

flames within her, if only for a moment. "I promise," he said, his voice steady. "I will never forget you, Ar

-

e road ahead would be anything but easy. Aria's heart ached with longing, and yet, for the first time in days, s

what happened, she had the power to shape her own destiny. She had the fire to forge a pat

e. And now, it was time for Aria to de