Ashes of Trust

The council chamber reeked of smoke and deceit.

Amber stood tall before the High Council, dressed not in silks but in a warrior's leathers—black and crimson, her cloak trailing like fire. Nate stood to her right, hand on his sword. To her left, Commander Thorne flanked her in silence. Lira watched from the back, her eyes shadowed with worry.

At the head of the room, Maren addressed the council like she owned it.

"She's unstable," Maren declared, gesturing to Amber. "The mark, the prophecy, the flames—it's all too much for one girl. We cannot entrust the kingdom to someone who didn't even know her own name six months ago."

Amber didn't flinch. "And you think they should trust you? A banished cousin with more ambition than loyalty?"

"I was banished for fighting for our people," Maren snapped. "You were hidden because you were dangerous."

Silence fell like ash.

Amber took a step forward. "I've proven myself. I've bled for this kingdom. I've fought monsters, survived your schemes, and still—I'm here. If anyone's unfit to lead, it's you."

That's when it happened.

Maren's expression didn't change. But behind Amber, she felt it—movement.

Too late.

Pain lanced through her side.

She gasped, stumbling forward.

Commander Thorne pulled the dagger free.

Blood poured from her abdomen.

"You…" she choked out, staring at him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "But she promised peace."

Amber collapsed to one knee. Nate roared, sword unsheathed, lunging at Thorne.

Steel clashed. Magic sparked.

The chamber exploded into chaos.

Lira screamed, rushing to Amber's side, her hands glowing. "Hold still. Don't you dare die on me."

Amber's vision blurred, the world a mix of color and sound. But Maren's voice rang clear through the noise:

"Take her to the dungeons. She'll live. For now."

Amber's last thought as the blackness swallowed her was simple—

Not like this.

---

She woke to stone and silence.

Chains bound her wrists—enchanted ones, cold and humming with suppression. Her wound had been healed just enough to keep her breathing, but the pain still burned. She was alone.

No Nate. No Lira. No fire.

Except for the spark inside her.

Amber sat up slowly, teeth gritted, and whispered, "You should've killed me, Maren."

Because now, she wasn't scared.

Now, she was angry.

---

Outside the palace walls, Virelan burned.

Maren had moved quickly, declaring Amber unfit and taking command of the city's forces. She claimed Amber had fallen under "dark influence"—and that the Ember Line must restore order.

But not everyone believed her.

Especially Nate.

He'd escaped the chamber, wounded but alive, and now hunted through the shadows, searching for allies. Lira had vanished too—either in hiding or captured.

The kingdom teetered. The war Amber feared was no longer coming. It was here.

And she was in a cage.

---

Three nights passed.

On the fourth, the wall cracked.

Not literally—but magically.

Amber woke to the scent of ash and roses.

Nate stood before her, bloodied and furious, keys in hand.

"I told you," he said, voice rough. "I'm not leaving you."

She didn't hesitate. She threw herself into his arms.

For one heartbeat, there was only him.

Then she pulled back. "The city—?"

"Falling apart. But not lost. Lira's safe. We have allies inside the lower wards. You need to rise now, Amber. The people still believe in you."

"I'm not a queen," she whispered.

He cupped her cheek, gaze fierce. "No. You're the queen."

---

The battle began at dawn.

Amber led the charge, flames swirling at her command, her eyes lit with fury and heartbreak.

Maren waited on the palace steps in her golden armor, smirking like a goddess of war. "You came to die?"

"No," Amber said. "I came to finish this."

They clashed.

Magic screamed. Fire met steel. Maren fought like a legend—fast, brutal, cold. But Amber wasn't the girl from the frostlands anymore.

She was born of fire.

And she didn't fight to win.

She fought to protect.

With one final cry, Amber summoned the blaze that lived in her blood. Phoenix wings exploded from her back—pure flame, glorious and untamed.

Maren screamed.

Amber didn't stop until the crown melted at her cousin's feet.

---

When it was over, the city was quiet.

Amber stood on the balcony of the scorched throne room, staring at the dawn. Her leathers were torn. Her heart was heavier than ever. But the flames inside her pulsed steady.

Nate came to her side, slipping his fingers through hers.

"We won," he said.

"No," she whispered. "We survived."

He kissed her knuckles. "And we'll keep surviving. Together."

She nodded, but her eyes stayed on the sky.

"Then let's build a world that doesn't need thrones made of ash."