Chapter 12: Sandora of the Emberblood

The next morning, Qingsai was escorted once again to the Crimson Glass Palace, but this time, not to dine — to meet Sandora.

She stood by a window of emberglass, sunlight illuminating her orange hair like fire through gold. Her pointed ears twitched as she turned, her bright blue eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

She wore a ceremonial red-orange dress, adorned in lava-forged jewelry, and atop her head sat a golden headdress in the likeness of a dragon's maw — the remains of the legendary Stellar Sea Dragon King.

> "You're Qingsai," she said with a soft giggle. "I've read about you… well, not you exactly — the Soulkindled before you."

Qingsai smiled. "Then this must be awkward."

She stepped closer, cheeks pink.

> "Not at all. It's like meeting a story… one I never thought I'd live inside."

> "You're not nervous?"

> "I'm always nervous," she said brightly. "But I'm also excited. And proud. My grandfather believes in you. And so do I."

She tilted her head.

> "Do you believe in love forged by flame, Qingsai?"

He blinked. "I… think I'm learning to."

They both laughed — light, warm, genuine.

Later that evening, under the stars above the Pyrespire caldera, Qingsai and Sandora were wed in a traditional Flamebond Ceremony, where two soulflames were joined inside a crystal pyre.

With that, Sandora Vurnash became Qingsai's fifth wife, marking the beginning of a powerful alliance — and a growing flame in Qingsai's heart that was not entirely born of duty.