She was raised in the shadows.
They told her the Ember Line had burned away.
They lied.

When Elira Ashthorn discovers she is the last heir of a forbidden bloodline, everything she’s been taught unravels. Branded a threat and hunted by the kingdom she once called home, Elira must choose: run from the fire in her veins—or become the spark that burns through centuries of silence.

Her only allies?
Rian, her brother’s exiled friend, driven by loyalty and secrets of his own.
Kael, the deadly soldier sworn to deliver her to the crown—but who’s been watching her for far longer than she knew.

As tensions rise and a shadowed organization prepares to ignite a second war, Elira must unearth the truth buried beneath politics, betrayal, and ancient magic. The fate of the realm rests in the hands of a girl they tried to erase—and the fire she refuses to let die.

Enemies become lovers. Lies become legends. And embers, once lit, can start a revolution.

Two nights later, Kael led them through the inner sanctum walls—his Blackguard insignia granting them silent passage through the gates of the royal citadel.


Elira pulled her hood lower. The stone halls were colder here, lit by icy sconces that gave off no heat. At the far end of the corridor, two enormous doors stood closed, carved with frostglass and thorns.


"The Thorned Council meets here," he said. "Not the king. He hasn't ruled in years. These are the true powers now."


Rian stepped beside her. "Let me speak first. You don't want to give them a reason to call you dangerous."


"I don't need to give them one," Elira muttered. "They already decided I am."


The doors opened with a groan like ancient bones.


Inside, a round chamber greeted them—twelve chairs, none of them empty. Cloaked figures watched from above. Only three faces were visible:


	•	High Regent Valen, a man with a voice like silk and eyes like stone.


	•	Lady Maeryn, the youngest councilor, rumored to be sympathetic to mages.


	•	Archmagister Callen, head of magical regulation, known for his obsession with bloodlines.


"Elira Ashthorn," he said with a faint smile. "We've been waiting."


Kael's hand shifted to the hilt of his sword.


But Elira stepped forward without flinching.


"I'm not here to beg," she said. "I'm here to expose the truth."


Callen's voice was cold. "And what truth would that be?"


"That the Ember Line wasn't destroyed," she said. "You covered it up. Hunted us. Lied to your people."


Valen's smile never wavered. "You're making dangerous claims, child."


"I'm not a child," Elira snapped. "And I'm not the only one left."


Callen leaned forward. "You would risk war for this accusation?"


"No," Elira said calmly. "I'm here to end one."


Lady Maeryn, at last, spoke: "Then you'll need allies, not enemies. Prove what you say, Elira Ashthorn. Prove that the kingdom has fed us lies."


Valen's expression darkened. "Or you may not leave this chamber alive."


Chapter 16 - Chapter 16