Chapter 5 – Kaelion’s Arrival
615 Words
The warmth of morning light danced across Zira’s skin, stirring her from the deepest sleep she’d had in days. The bed cradled her body like a soft cloud, and for a second, she forgot she was in a kingdom built on fire and secrets.
Until she opened her eyes.
Two figures stood across the room—tall, striking, silent.
Zira blinked, her vision focusing. Prince Kale stood to the left, still as frost, arms folded over his chest. His silver hair caught the sun like moonlight. Beside him stood someone entirely different—flames seemed to dance around his silhouette. His hair was a brilliant red, untamed and wild, his eyes glowing like molten gold.
They were both staring at her.
Zira sat up slowly, clutching the cloak around her. “What?” she said, brows raised. “Y’all never seen a fine girl before or what? Why are you staring like that?”
Kaelion—because she *knew* it had to be him—burst into a rich, surprised laugh. It was the kind of laugh that filled a room, bold and warm, like sunlight through thick clouds.
“Well, well,” he said with a grin. “She has fire. I like that.”
Zira arched an eyebrow. “I’m not here to be liked.”
Kaelion stepped forward, hand on his chest in mock humility. “Then I guess I should be careful. I might fall too fast.”
Kale exhaled quietly through his nose. “Kaelion.”
“What?” Kaelion turned to him with a smirk. “I’m just saying hello. You brought a girl to your chambers without telling me? And here I thought you didn’t like company.”
“She’s not company,” Kale said flatly.
Zira narrowed her eyes. “Wow. Charming as ever, Prince Frostbite.”
Kaelion laughed again, clearly amused. “I *like* her.”
He extended a hand toward her. “I’m Kaelion, Prince of Flames. The *fun* one.”
Zira stared at his hand for a second before shaking it. “Zira. The girl who woke up being stared at by two glowing-eyed weirdos.”
He chuckled. “Weirdos? That’s a first. But hey, I’ll take it.”
As his hand touched hers, something sparked. Not a jolt—something deeper. Like a hum in her chest, warm and familiar. She looked up at him, and his smile faded just slightly. He felt it too.
Kale noticed the shift. His gaze darkened almost imperceptibly.
Kaelion glanced between them. “Okay… what aren’t you two telling me?”
“She survived the Icy Frost cell,” Kale said simply.
Kaelion’s smile vanished. “That place was built to break the soul. No one survives more than hours there.”
“I know,” Kale murmured, staring at Zira. “But she did.”
Zira stood now, the cloak still wrapped around her. “Maybe I’m just too stubborn to die.”
Kaelion tilted his head, eyes glowing. “Or maybe… you’re more than you think.”
Their gazes locked again, a thread pulling tight between them.
Zira turned away, heartbeat too loud. Something about these two… about being near them… it made her feel like the ground itself was shifting.
“So… what now?” she asked, trying to sound casual.
Kaelion glanced at Kale. “Now? We find out who you *really* are.”
Zira's fists clenched under the cloak. “I already told you. I’m just—”
“No,” Kale interrupted softly. “You’re not just anything.”
Zira’s heart thudded. She didn’t know why… but she beli
eved him.
And that scared her more than any dungeon ever could.
- Writer
