Embers of Jade: A Soul Rewritten

Sleep didn't come easily to Sebastian.

He stood by the balcony of his private chamber, shirt unbuttoned at the collar, as moonlight cast silver across his scars. The one on his back — shaped like a dragon's claw — still burned on nights like this.

Memories came in fragments.

He saw the palace engulfed in fire. Heard the thunder of rebellion in the halls. Smelled the smoke curling through silk tapestries.

And above all, he remembered her — Lin Qingli — standing on the dais, sword in hand, as flames licked the throne behind her.

"I told you to run," she had said.

"You were never mine to abandon," he had replied.

Then came the explosion. Her scream. His failure.

A knock sounded.

He turned to find Aurora at his door, wrapped in a silver shawl, her eyes soft.

"Couldn't sleep," she said.

He nodded. "Me neither."

They sat in silence by the window, watching the city blink beneath them.

"Tell me about him," Aurora whispered. "The man you were."

Sebastian hesitated. Then spoke.

"Xu Chenyang. Commander of the Jade Guard. Orphaned in battle. Taken in by the crown. Sworn to protect the Empress… and fell in love with her instead."

Aurora looked down. "She loved you too."

He swallowed. "And I couldn't save her."

She reached for his hand.

"You have now," she whispered. "This time, you did."

He gripped her hand tightly, anchoring himself to her warmth.

For the first time in centuries, his guilt began to bleed into something softer: redemption.