> Incoming Flame Court Transmission
❖ Source: North Flame Court
❖ Title: Thorn Matron of Balance
❖ Directive: Summon the Rogue Sovereign
❖ Message Format: Bloodbound Flame Echo
The sky turned violet.
A bloom of flame-threads—woven into a thorned crown—descended from above, hovering over Ryon's camp like judgment made manifest.
It burned cold.
Not like fire.
Like law.
A voice echoed from within:
> "Sovereign Ryon of the South.
You have awakened forbidden bonds.
Unsealed an abandoned queen.
And rejected the Core Flame's design.
The Court demands your presence."
The flame shimmered—
And the figure of a woman formed.
Tall. Regal. Eyes blindfolded with silver thread. Skin of dusk-iron and lips red as smoldered wine.
She was not beautiful.
She was final.
> "I am Thorn Matron Velka.
I speak for Balance.
You will answer."
Kaela's blade was halfway drawn. "No one speaks to him like that."
Seris narrowed her gaze. "She's not a judge. She's a leash with a crown."
