The sun had barely risen when Amina was summoned to the royal council room. The thick clouds above the palace signaled the approach of another storm, but it was the storm within her that kept her awake through the night, a restlessness she couldn't shake. The flame was growing stronger with each passing day, its warmth always just beneath her skin, and with it came a gnawing fear that she was losing control.
Her mind kept returning to her mother's words: "There are forces that want to control you. They'll stop at nothing to use you as a pawn." The warning had haunted her, and she couldn't help but wonder just how far those forces were willing to go. Who were they? And why had they stayed hidden for so long?
Amina arrived at the council room with her thoughts in a whirl. The chamber was filled with the kingdom's top advisors and military officials. As she entered, the room fell silent, their gazes shifting toward her with a mix of curiosity and expectation. Among the group was Lord Kieran, her mother's most trusted ally, whose sharp eyes always seemed to be watching, analyzing.
"Your Highness," Lord Kieran said, his voice calm but tinged with an edge of urgency. "We've received word of a gathering in the east. A group of nobles who are rallying against the engagement between you and Prince Aric. They claim the marriage is a betrayal of our people's honor."
Amina's heart tightened in her chest. She had expected resistance, but hearing it spoken aloud made the situation feel all too real.
"Betrayal?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fear she felt rising within her. "Our kingdoms have been at war for years. This marriage is the only hope for peace."
Lord Kieran nodded gravely. "Indeed, Your Highness. But there are factions within both kingdoms that believe the marriage will tip the balance of power. Some see it as a threat to their own influence."
Amina glanced at her mother, who stood at the head of the table, her expression unreadable. "Is this true, Mother?" she asked quietly.
Queen Elena's eyes met hers, and for the first time, Amina saw something in her mother's gaze—something more than just the cold, calculated queen. There was fear there, buried beneath the layers of control.
"We knew there would be opposition," the queen said, her voice calm but firm. "But this... this is more than just politics. These factions may seek to control the flame within you, Amina. And if we don't act quickly, they will use it to their advantage."
Amina's breath caught. The flame. It was the thing that tied her to the entire conflict, the one thing everyone seemed to want to control. The one thing she could barely control herself.
"The flame?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her mother nodded. "Yes. Your power is not just a tool for peace—it's a weapon. And those who wish to take it from you will stop at nothing to do so."
Amina felt her stomach twist in knots. Her magic was both a blessing and a curse, and now she understood the true weight of her position. She wasn't just a political pawn—she was a target.
"We must strengthen the alliance with Aric," Queen Elena continued. "The marriage may be the only thing standing between us and the forces that seek to tear our kingdoms apart."
"I understand," Amina said quietly, her gaze falling to her hands, which suddenly felt hot, as if the flame within her was responding to the tension in the room.
At that moment, the door opened, and Prince Aric stepped inside, his expression serious, his eyes scanning the room with quiet authority. The moment their gazes met, Amina felt a jolt of something—something between them that she couldn't quite place. But in that moment, the weight of her powers, of the growing political conflict, felt heavier than ever.
"We have little time," Aric said, his voice cutting through the silence. "The factions are already gathering. We need to move quickly, or we risk losing control of the peace we've worked so hard to build."
Amina's heart skipped. She had hoped—naively—that she could avoid the political games, that her marriage to Aric would be a bond of trust and mutual respect. But now it seemed that their union was not just about love or peace—it was about survival.
"We need to act fast," Aric continued. "There are whispers of rebellion in both our kingdoms. People are starting to question your father's decisions, Amina. They're questioning the engagement."
Amina stood still, the fire within her pulsing in response to the rising tension. What if they were right? What if she couldn't live up to the expectations placed upon her?
"We'll manage," she said, her voice strong despite the uncertainty in her heart. "We'll unite the kingdoms. I'll marry you, Aric. For peace."
Aric's eyes softened, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift, just slightly. "I know you'll do what's necessary, Amina. But remember, we don't have to do this alone. We're stronger together."
Amina's eyes searched his face, and for the first time, she saw not just a prince—she saw a man who was as deeply conflicted as she was, someone who understood the burden they both carried.
But there was still so much she didn't know. So much hidden beneath the surface.
As the meeting drew to a close, Amina stood and left the council room, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. The flame within her had always been a part of her, but now it felt like a ticking time bomb, one that could explode at any moment. And as the storm clouds gathered above the palace, she knew that the true battle was just beginning.