The scent of s*x and sweat hadn’t even faded from the sheets when the knock came.... sharp and final.
Daxos opened the door.
A scroll floated midair, wrapped in flickering flame.
But even as it hovered, that flame didn’t burn.
It was hollow.
Dead.
Mocking.
He caught it in one hand and ripped it open.
By the time he finished reading, Sevrin had already stepped from the shadows.
Azric leaned back against the wall, mouth stained with me.
No one spoke.
Not until Daxos said, voice like gravel soaked in thunder, “They want her to enter the Emberless Flame.”
My robe slipped over my shoulders as I stood. “Then let’s give them a show.”
“Valkhara.” Azric’s voice was sharp. “They’re testing you. Publicly. You don’t have to—”
“I do.” My voice was steady. “Because if I don’t walk
