Fire Hands and Family Secrets

Talia Ravenwood had seen many weird things in her life.

A ghost stealing her shampoo.

A talking mirror that judged her outfits.

And of course, accidentally marrying a demon prince.

But nothing prepared her for what Mira said the night before—

> "There's a crypt behind your mirror. With your name on the wall."

Now, with a torch in one hand and a slightly sarcastic best friend in the other, she followed Lucien down the spiraling, dusty staircase beneath her room—into a part of the castle even he had never entered before.

---

🕯️ Beneath the Castle…

The stone corridor opened into a massive underground chamber.

There, carved into obsidian walls and laced with glowing golden veins, were names—each one shimmering with magic.

Lucien walked ahead silently, trailing his fingers along the ancient runes. Then he stopped.

He turned slowly, his voice hollow.

> "It's real."

Talia stepped forward and gasped.

Etched in gold fire, right between Queen Seraphina Nightshade and King Rathor the Flameborn, was her name.

> TALIA RAVENWOOD — Queen of Flame and Ruin.

Mira whispered, "She's not just cursed. She's chosen."

---

🔥 The Crown in the Glass

At the center of the chamber stood a crystal pedestal, glowing red. Inside it was a golden crown, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Lucien stepped closer. "This is the Flame Crown. Forged for the prophecy."

Talia stared. "Why does it have my name on it?! I'm not royalty! I barely passed enchantment studies!"

Lucien looked torn. "My mother spoke of a queen not born of this realm, who would return when the two worlds were on the brink of collapse. But it was only legend... until now."

As Talia reached toward the crown, fire spiraled from her palm, glowing and dancing like it knew her.

But just as her fingers brushed the glass—

BOOM!

A blast of dark energy threw them all back.

🕳️ The Shadow Awakens

From the broken shadows behind the chamber, a tall, cloaked figure emerged—its body wrapped in smoke, its eyes glowing blood-red.

It whispered, "The bride must not rise. The flame must be extinguished."

Lucien stepped in front of Talia, his energy crackling.

"Back away," he growled.

The figure hissed. "If the prophecy completes, the thrones will burn. And you, traitor prince, will die with her."

Lucien launched a firebolt—pure black flame.

The shadow vanished.

Talia gasped, "What was that?!"

Lucien looked shaken. "An ancient warden. The prophecy was sealed with shadow guardians to prevent it from awakening. Your presence… your bloodline… it triggered everything."

---

🖤 That Night…

Back in her chambers, Talia sat on her bed, silent. Mira snored on the couch, wrapped in a blanket that growled occasionally.

Lucien stood at the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"You should rest," he said softly.

"I can't," she whispered. "I saw myself in that crown, Lucien. Like it already knows who I am."

He stepped inside. "Prophecies don't decide who we are. We do."

She looked up. "Do you believe that?"

Lucien hesitated, then knelt in front of her.

"I believe you were sent here for a reason. And I believe I was meant to meet you. Whether for war… or salvation."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Lucien…"

He leaned closer. Their faces inches apart.

"I need you to understand something," he said. "If we complete this bond—if we truly fall in love—it won't just change us. It'll change the entire realm."

She looked into his glowing eyes. "And if we don't?"

He smiled faintly. "Then I'll die with a cursed heart… and you'll live with a kingdom on fire."

A moment of silence. Then—

Their lips touched.

And for the first time, the glowing red thread between them didn't just pulse—

It turned into a burning ribbon of gold.

The shadow figure knelt before a massive stone altar.

A cruel voice echoed from the darkness.

> "The Queen of Flame has awakened.

Begin the Ritual of Ruin.

She must not wear the crown…

Or the living will become the dead."

The war for fate had begun.

Talia had officially lost it.

Not only had she kissed a demon prince… not only did a cursed crown recognize her as the "Queen of Flame and Ruin"…

But now her hands were literally on fire.

Again.

"HOT! HOT! SOMEBODY GET A BUCKET!" she shouted, running in circles while her palms blazed with golden flames.

Mira, half-asleep and still wearing a blanket cape, grabbed a ghost-vase and dumped ashes on her. "There! You're welcome. Also—your fingers are still glowing."

Talia looked down. Her skin shimmered with golden magic veins, like tiny glowing rivers.

"I'm turning into a lava lamp," she muttered. "This is how it ends."

Lucien burst into the room moments later.

"Talia, I felt your energy surge from the west tower. Are you—"

He paused. Saw the ashes. Saw Mira eating cursed grapes. Saw Talia's fire hands.

"…Okay, what happened?"

Mira pointed. "She lit up like a phoenix on espresso. Again."

Lucien moved toward Talia. "Breathe. Try to focus."

Talia, eyes wide: "How am I supposed to focus when my body thinks it's a barbecue pit?!"

He gently took her hands—flames and all—and placed them against his chest.

"Because I'm here."

The fire stilled.

Mira made a choking sound from the corner. "Aww, are you kidding me? That was so romantic I got a secondhand love cramp."

Meanwhile, Vael—Lucien's older brother and resident evil uncle energy—stormed into the war chamber.

"She's dangerous," he snapped. "The mortal girl is not just cursed. She's changing the realm. Even the sky turned red last night!"

Grandfather Zareth, still sipping "not-blood," raised a finger. "Technically… that was wine night at the volcano spa."

Vael glared. "If Lucien won't act, then I will. Starting with her friend."

Talia paced the room.

"I need answers, Lucien. I need to know what this crown wants from me. I need to know if I'm even… real anymore."

Lucien sighed. "You are more real than anything in this castle. And I would burn this entire realm if it meant keeping you safe."

Talia blinked. "Did you just say something sweet?"

He cleared his throat. "I… don't recall."

"Liar," she smiled.

But before they could enjoy the moment, the door exploded open.

A guard appeared, pale and breathless. "Prince Lucien! Your brother has taken the mortal girl. The friend!"

Talia: "Mira?!"

---

💥 ENTER THE MELTDOWN

Mira, meanwhile, was being dragged across a dark corridor by shadow guards.

"I demand snacks!" she shouted. "And a trial! And someone explain this goat statue staring at me!"

Vael appeared, smirking. "Let's see if your best friend burns so brightly when her heart is broken."

Mira: "Okay rude, and also—you need a better skincare routine. You're glowing, but not in a good way."

Vael raised his hand to cast a shadow curse—

BOOM!

The wall exploded.

Lucien stormed in, sword of flame in one hand, rage in his eyes. Talia stood beside him, hands glowing brighter than ever.

"You touched my people," she growled.

Vael laughed. "Ah. So the queen has awakened."

As Lucien and Vael clashed, Talia rushed to Mira and untied her.

"I'm fine!" Mira said. "Although next time I get kidnapped, I want fancier ropes."

Lucien finally pinned Vael with his blade.

"Touch her again," he said darkly, "and I'll forget you're blood."

Vael wiped blood from his lip. "You've already forgotten who you are, brother."

---

🏰 BACK IN THE SAFE ROOM…

Talia and Mira sat curled on a velvet couch.

Mira sniffled. "Okay. I almost died. I want brownies."

Talia wrapped an arm around her. "You're not dying on my watch. Not before we figure out this mess."

Lucien entered quietly, a gash on his arm. Talia rushed to him.

"You're hurt."

"I've had worse. Centuries ago, a banshee bit my leg off. Grew it back. Took a week."

Mira mumbled, "Why is that hot? Is that weird? That's weird."

Talia ignored her.

She held Lucien's hand. "We need to finish what we started. Find the full prophecy. Break the curse. And… survive."

Lucien looked into her eyes.

"With you beside me, I believe we can."

---

🔮 Meanwhile… in the Mirror Realm

An ancient seer opened a dusty scroll.

It glowed red and gold.

> "She has touched the crown.

The fire now knows her name.

But before the queen may rule…

She must survive the betrayal of one she loves most."

The seer turned to the shadows.

> "Release the one who sleeps."

A frozen figure stirred…

His eyes opened—green as poison.

And he whispered:

> "Tell Talia… I'm coming home."

Coming in Episode 8:

A shocking betrayal from someone close to Talia,

Lucien's hidden past finally revealed,

The royal festival of shadows (complete with chaotic magical games),

And the first vision of what could happen if the prophecy fails.