The north road stretched out ahead, dusty and empty. Kael walked fast, his boots kicking up clouds of dirt. The fire in his veins hummed, warm against the cool evening air.
Every step felt like a rebellion. Against the nobles who'd mocked him. Against Isabella, who'd left him. Against Julian, who'd stolen her—and who, he now suspected, had stolen more.
By dusk, the mountains loomed. And at their feet, the gaping maw of Dragonfall Gorge.
Kael stopped at the edge. Wind howled through the chasm, carrying the scent of ash and something primal. Something old.
Legends said dragons had fallen here, their bones littering the depths. That monsters made their lairs in the shadows.
"Perfect," he muttered.
He gripped a jagged rock and began to climb down. The path was narrow, loose stones sliding under his boots. He moved carefully, his hands finding purchase on rough stone.
Halfway down, a low growl echoed from the darkness below.
Kael froze.
Two glowing red eyes pierced the gloom. A creature stepped into the faint light of the setting sun—black scales, claws like daggers, teeth bared. A shadow wolf.
"Great," Kael sighed. "Just what I needed."
The wolf lunged.
Kael reacted on instinct. He raised his hand, and the fire in his veins surged forward. A small flame burst from his palm, hitting the wolf square in the chest.
The creature yelped, rolling on the ground to smother the flames. But Kael didn't let up. He focused, feeling the heat build. The flame grew bigger, hotter.
"Stay down!" he shouted.
The fire erupted, wrapping around the wolf. It howled, a terrible sound, then fell silent. Ashes drifted to the ground.
Kael stared at his hand, breathing hard. The glow faded, but the warmth remained.
"Magic," he said, almost to himself. "I actually have magic."
A voice cut through the wind: "Impressive. For a first try."
Kael spun. An old man stood at the bottom of the path, leaning on a gnarled staff. His robes were tattered, his hair white, but his eyes were sharp—like he could see the fire burning inside Kael.
"Who are you?" Kael asked, tensing. He kept his hand raised, ready to summon the flame again.
The old man smiled. "Relax, boy. I'm not here to fight. Name's Merlin. Former royal mage, now a fugitive."
"Fugitive?" Kael raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because I refused to do the prince's dirty work," Merlin said. He nodded at Kael's hand. "That fire—dragon fire. Raw, untamed. You're Kael Voss, aren't you? The North Duke's son."
Kael frowned. "How do you know my name?"
"Because I'm the one who put the seal on you," Merlin said, his voice softening. "The magic block. The reason you couldn't feel your power all these years."
Kael's jaw tightened. "You did that? Why?"
"Julian paid me," Merlin said, his eyes darkening. "Said you were a threat. That your blood was too dangerous. I didn't know the truth back then."
"Truth?" Kael stepped closer. "What truth?"
"Your blood," Merlin said. "It's not just any blood. It's ancient dragon blood. The blood of the Ember Dragon Emperor. The only thing that can stop the Soul-Eating Lord."
Kael blinked. "Soul-Eating Lord? What are you talking about?"
"Julian's master," Merlin said. "A dark entity, trapped for centuries. Julian plans to free him. To rule the kingdom—no, the entire realm—with his power."
"And I'm the only one who can stop him?" Kael asked, skeptical.
"Not the only one," Merlin said. "But the most important. Your dragon fire is the only magic that can destroy his darkness."
Kael stared at his hand again. The weight of Merlin's words settled over him.
"So Julian blocked my magic to keep me weak," he said. "To make sure I couldn't stop him."
"Exactly," Merlin said. "But the seal broke when you were pushed to the edge. When Isabella betrayed you. Emotion—anger, pain, betrayal—it's a powerful trigger for dragon blood."
Kael nodded. He thought of the banquet hall. Of Isabella's cold eyes. Of Gareth's sneer. The fire had erupted then, too.
"Can you teach me to control it?" he asked. "To use this power?"
Merlin smiled. "That's why I'm here. I've been watching you. Waiting for the seal to break."
He gestured to the gorge floor. "Come. There's a cave down here. Safe. I can teach you the basics. How to summon the fire at will. How to focus it."
Kael hesitated. He didn't know if he could trust Merlin. But the old man knew about his blood. About Julian's plan. And he was the only one who could help him.
"What about Julian's men?" Kael asked. "Will they find me here?"
"Eventually," Merlin said. "But not yet. Dragonfall Gorge is forbidden. They won't dare come here without a large party. And that will take time."
Kael nodded. He thought of Isabella, of Julian, of Gareth. Of all the people who'd laughed at him, who'd shamed him.
He wanted revenge. But more than that, he wanted to stop Julian. To protect the kingdom—even if it had never protected him.
"Lead the way," Kael said.
Merlin grinned. "Good choice, boy. Let's get started. Your training begins now."
Merlin turned and walked into the darkness. Kael followed, his boots crunching on stone. The fire in his veins burned brighter, warm and steady.
Dragonfall Gorge held secrets. And Kael was ready to uncover them.
"First lesson," Merlin said, over his shoulder. "Breathe. Dragon fire is not just magic—it's part of you. You have to feel it, not fight it."
Kael took a deep breath. The heat in his chest responded, flaring slightly.
"Like this?" he asked.
"Close," Merlin said. "Try again. Slow. Steady."
Kael closed his eyes. He focused on the warmth, letting it spread through his body. When he opened his eyes, a small flame danced in his palm—steady, controlled.
"Better," Merlin said, nodding. "Much better."
Kael smiled. For the first time in years, he felt alive. Felt powerful.
This was just the beginning.
And no one would stop him now.