Chapter 10: Trial by Fire

The wind howled through the mountain pass, sharp as a blade against Faye's skin.

She stood at the edge of the clearing, her breath slow, controlled, focused.

Before her, flames burned black and violet, writhing like living shadows.

Shadowflame.

Her power. Her curse.

Her control over it was improving, but it still fought her—flickering between obedience and chaos, like a beast straining at its leash.

A single thought, a lapse in concentration, and it could spiral out of her grasp.

Behind her, Lyra watched from where she sat cross-legged on a boulder, arms folded. "So… how many trees do you think you'll incinerate this time?"

Faye shot her a glare.

Lyra grinned. "That's a new record. You didn't snap at me immediately. You're learning patience."

Faye exhaled, ignoring her.

She closed her eyes.

Focused.

Shadowflame wasn't like regular fire. It didn't just burn—it consumed, erasing things from existence.

And if she let it consume her too much…

She shoved the thought aside. Not now.

After practicing and training for hours

She took A deep breath.

She moved.

The flame responded—faster than before—curling around her hand in controlled arcs. She shaped it, willed it, and it obeyed.

For a moment, she felt it—true control.

Then a sharp pulse lashed through her veins.

Her body seized.

The fire exploded outward, faster than she could stop it.

A wave of Shadowflame detonated from her palm, roaring forward like a storm, colliding with the boulders ahead and erasing them in a single instant.

The ground trembled. Smoke curled from the scorched earth.

And Faye collapsed to one knee, her vision spinning.

Too much.

She heard boots crunch over stone. A hand caught her shoulder before she could fall further.

Kael.

He didn't say anything—just steadying her, his grip firm but careful.

"You lost control," he murmured.

Faye clenched her jaw. "No. I pushed too far."

"There's a difference?"

She looked at him. He wasn't mocking her. Just watching. Measuring.

She hated how easily he saw through her.

"I need more control," she admitted, dragging in a slow breath. "More focus."

Kael's fingers brushed over her wrist, where the tattoos glowed faintly—the draconic markings pulsing like embers beneath her skin.

"Your body is trying to warn you," he said quietly. "You're forcing it past its limits."

Faye shook her head. "I don't have a choice. If I hold back, I die."

Kael's gaze flickered, something unreadable in his silver eyes. But before he could say anything, another voice cut in.

"Well," Riven drawled, stepping into the clearing. "If the goal was to make sure no one within fifty miles missed our location, I'd say you did a fantastic job."

Faye scowled. "I don't need your commentary, Riven."

"Sure you do. It keeps things interesting."

Lyra snorted from her rock. "You're both terrible at flirting."

Faye's patience snapped. "I will set you on fire."

Lyra grinned. "See? That's the passion I'm talking about."

Kael sighed. Riven just smirked.

But before Faye could actually consider throwing something at Lyra, Kael's posture shifted.

His expression sharpened. His head tilted, as if listening to something beyond their range.

A moment later, Riven stiffened too. His hand went to his sword.

Faye felt it a second later.

A presence.

Watching.

Tracking them.

Her blood went cold.

"We're not alone," Kael said.

And then the first arrow struck.