Heart of the frozen flame

Chapter 10 – Royal Blood & Bastards

The great throne room of the Fire Kingdom shimmered with golden heat and crimson flame. Pillars carved with dragons lined the walls, and the air crackled with silent tension. At the far end, *King Tharion Drakar* sat like a volcano in slumber — quiet, but dangerous.

*Prince Kaelion* entered first, his armor glinting. *Prince Kale* followed behind, every step careful, his silver hair a sharp contrast to the blaze around him.

*Queen Seraphyne*, draped in fire-gold silk, lounged beside the king. Her eyes — like twin infernos — locked onto Kale with open disdain.

“I summoned *my* son,” King Tharion growled. “Yet both arrive.”

Kaelion’s jaw tightened. “We are never far apart.”

Tharion stood, towering. “Then perhaps you both can explain why a strange girl sleeps under my roof. Why the Obsidian Archive glows for the first time in decades. Why whispers speak of flames awakening in my palace.”

“She’s no threat,” Kaelion said, voice steady.

“She’s dangerous,” Queen Seraphyne snapped. “Look at her eyes. She’s not normal. You brought a curse into our home.”

Kale said nothing. But Kaelion stepped forward.

“She saved lives. She has powers — yes. But they’re raw. She needs guidance, not chains.”

Tharion’s gaze flicked to Kale. “And you. Bastard blood. Do you even understand what you’ve brought into my kingdom?”

The word “bastard” echoed.

Kale’s face remained unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes. Hurt, buried deep.

“Enough,” Kaelion barked. “You call him bastard, yet he bleeds fire and carries the mark of frost. You fear what he is — what *we* are.”

Queen Seraphyne stood now, venom in her voice. “He is a mistake. Your father’s shame.”

Kaelion turned on her. “He is my brother. And your cruelty does not erase that.”

A tense silence fell.

Then King Tharion spoke, softer this time. “So you both protect her. Why?”

Kaelion’s eyes met Kale’s — something unspoken passed between them.

“Because,” Kaelion said, “I believe she’s more than fate. I believe she’s ours.”

And for the first time, the flames behind the throne wavered — not from wind, but from something deeper.

Doubt.

King Tharion sat back down.

“You’ve chosen your path, both of you,” he muttered. “

May the gods show mercy if it leads to ruin.”