Chapter 6: The Flames We Fear

Chapter 6: The Flames We Fear

Silvia's POV

The sun was dipping below the jagged horizon by the time Silvia and Dragon finally found shelter. They had trekked through rocky terrain, avoiding open spaces where more trouble might find them. A cluster of ancient ruins—crumbling stone structures half-swallowed by nature—stood before them, offering enough concealment for the night.

Silvia wiped the sweat from her brow, her muscles aching. "This'll do."

Dragon eyed the ruins warily. "Better than nothing. But we'll need to keep watch."

Silvia nodded, glancing up at the darkening sky. "I'll take first watch."

"No," Dragon said immediately. "You need rest."

Silvia shot him a glare. "I can handle myself."

His golden eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he didn't argue. "Fine. Wake me if anything moves."

He stepped away, shifting effortlessly into his panther form before curling up near one of the walls. Silvia stared at him for a moment, watching the way the moonlight gleamed against his sleek black fur. It was so easy for him—to change, to adapt. Meanwhile, she was still trying to figure out what was happening to her own body.

Her magic had always been strong, but after the battle, it was different. Wilder. Hungrier. She felt it coiled inside her like a living thing, pressing against her skin, begging to be unleashed again.

She swallowed hard and clenched her fists. Control it. Don't let it control you.

The ruins were quiet, save for the occasional rustling of wind through the cracked stone. Silvia kept her eyes on the surrounding landscape, her magic humming softly in her veins. But even as she focused on the night, her mind drifted back to Dragon.

You feel it, don't you?

His words from earlier haunted her. The bond. The way their magic had intertwined. She had fought against the idea all day, but deep down, she knew he was right. She could feel him—like a second heartbeat, always there, always aware of her.

She hated it.

Or at least, she wanted to.

The sound of movement snapped her out of her thoughts. Her entire body tensed as she turned toward the sound, fire already licking at her fingertips.

A shadow moved beyond the ruins.

Silvia's pulse quickened. She stood slowly, her magic sparking to life as she took a cautious step forward. "Who's there?"

The air shifted. A low, breathy chuckle echoed from the darkness.

"Impressive," a voice purred. "I expected you to be strong. But not this strong."

Silvia's fingers curled, her fire glowing brighter. "Show yourself."

A figure stepped out from the shadows, cloaked in deep crimson. His face was partially hidden beneath a hood, but his piercing, unnatural silver eyes locked onto hers with unsettling familiarity.

"You don't recognize me, do you?" he said smoothly, tilting his head. "Not yet. But you will."

Silvia's stomach twisted. Something about him felt… wrong. Familiar, yet foreign. "Who are you?"

The man smiled, slow and knowing. "A messenger of fate. And a reminder that the fire inside you is not yours alone."

Her magic surged at his words, heat searing her fingertips. "Enough with the riddles. Say what you came to say or get out of my sight."

The man chuckled again. "Fiery indeed. But be careful, Silvia Earthstar. Flames that burn too bright tend to consume everything around them."

Silvia's breath hitched.

Then, before she could react, the man vanished, his form melting into the darkness as if he had never been there at all.

Silvia's heart pounded. She spun, searching for any sign of him, but there was nothing—just the ruins and the night.

She stood there for a long moment, her breath uneven, before finally forcing herself to turn back toward where Dragon was still sleeping.

She would tell him in the morning.

For now, she would try—and fail—to ignore the cold dread settling in her bones.

Morning came too soon. The first rays of sunlight broke through the ruins, casting long shadows across the stone. Silvia had barely slept, her mind plagued with the stranger's words.

Dragon stirred, shifting from his panther form back into his human one. His golden eyes flickered open, locking onto her immediately. "You look like hell."

Silvia rolled her eyes. "Good morning to you too."

He stretched lazily, rolling his shoulders before his gaze sharpened. "Something happened."

Silvia hesitated for only a second before nodding. "There was someone here last night."

Dragon was on his feet instantly. "Who?"

"A man. Cloaked, silver eyes. He said he was a 'messenger of fate' and that my fire isn't mine alone." She exhaled. "Then he just… vanished."

Dragon's jaw tightened. "Silver eyes?"

She nodded, and Dragon cursed under his breath. "That's not good."

Silvia frowned. "You know something."

"I have an idea." Dragon ran a hand through his hair. "We need to move. Now."

Silvia crossed her arms. "Not until you tell me what's going on."

Dragon sighed heavily. "Silver eyes mean one thing—someone from the underground race. The Terrans."

Silvia stiffened. "Like you?"

He nodded. "But if he was sent as a messenger, it means the king knows about you."

A chill ran through her. "Why would the king care about me?"

Dragon met her gaze. "Because if what that man said is true, then your fire isn't just growing on its own." His voice was grim. "It means someone—or something—is trying to awaken something inside you."

Silvia swallowed hard, her stomach twisting with unease. The bond. The power surging inside her. The stranger's warning.

None of this was coincidence.

Dragon held out his hand. "We leave now. Whatever's coming, we need to be ready."

Silvia stared at his hand for a long moment before finally clasping it.

They had no choice.

They had to move before the fire inside her burned everything to the ground.