Ashes of the crown

POV: Kael 🗡️⚠️🕯️

The campfire crackled in uneasy rhythm, casting golden shadows over Ariya's face. She sat close to Corven, the silver-eyed stranger who had joined them three days ago. She wasn't smiling, not really, but Kael had known her long enough to recognize the shift.

That wasn't caution in her eyes anymore.

It was curiosity.

"You don't trust him, do you?" Lyra asked softly beside him.

Kael didn't answer right away. He just watched. Watched the way Corven tilted his head when Ariya spoke. The way he always had a perfect answer, wrapped in charm. The way he knew just enough about their mission to be helpful — but not enough to be real.

"No," Kael said finally. "I don't."

"But Ariya does."

"That's the problem."

Earlier that day, they had crossed a bridge of living vines, one Corven had "happened" to know how to summon with a spell only those trained in Forgotten Blood could use.

Ariya had looked at him like he'd parted the skies.

Kael had just tightened his grip on his blade.

"You're being overprotective," Jax had said to him later, balancing a rock on his nose for no good reason.

"I'm being realistic."

"You're being jealous."

Kael gave him a sharp look. "Not the time, Jax."

Jax shrugged, dropping the rock. "Just saying. When you start glaring at the guy who saves your team from thorn wolves, you might wanna check if you're guarding her, or guarding your heart."

Kael walked away before he said something he'd regret.

That night, Kael couldn't sleep.

He stared at the stars, the quiet hum of the forest around them, and the sound of Ariya's soft laughter by the fire.

Corven was telling a story. Something about ancient maps and celestial compasses, something that didn't matter.

What mattered was the way Ariya leaned forward, her eyes bright.

She hadn't laughed like that in days.

And Kael should've been glad.

But all he felt was dread.

He stood up and walked away from camp, needing space.

The moment he was far enough into the trees, he pressed a hand to the small communication shard tucked beneath his tunic.

"Velkar," he whispered. "If you can hear me, I need eyes on someone. Now."

He didn't know if the shard would work this far from the last temple.

Didn't know if their ghostly mentor was even watching anymore.

But Kael trusted his instincts.

And they were screaming.

Back at camp, Ariya studied the scroll Corven had given her.

"It's strange," she murmured. "The language is old… but it feels familiar."

"It should," Corven said. "It's part of your lineage."

"How would you know that?"

"Because you're not just a Flamebearer, Ariya. You're something older."

She looked up sharply.

"What do you mean?"

He hesitated just long enough to let it sting.

Then smiled.

"It's not my truth to tell. Not yet."

She narrowed her eyes. "Then why are you helping me?"

"Because one day, you'll stand between two kingdoms. And when that day comes…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "You'll need to know who you truly are."

She felt the mark burn faintly beneath her skin.

"And who am I?"

"The one Ruvan fears," he said.

Ariya's breath caught.

He was right.

But how did he know?

In the trees, Kael watched.

Every word. Every motion. Every lie dressed like prophecy.

His hand drifted to the hilt of his blade.

"I don't care how pretty his eyes are," he muttered. "If he hurts her…"

He didn't finish the sentence.

But the frost forming on his fingers said enough.