Page 42 of Embers to Flames

As the first blush of dawn begins to paint the horizon, Theo gently banks towards the ground in front of the temple, lowering one of his magnificent wings, creating a graceful arc for me to descend on. As I carefully place my foot onto his outstretched front paw, I feel his bright golden eyes watchingover me as I make my way down to the ground below. Then he begins to shift back into his Elf form, his eyes still filled with love and pride. His scales diminish and recede into skin. The bat-like wings soften back to their feathery state. His elongated snout retracts, facial features softening and reshaping back into his elven visage. The horns dissolve into the air like mist, and the fearsome claws shrink, morphing back into delicate fingers.

Theo stands up, his eyes shifting past me towards the entrance of the temple. There, standing in the doorway… is his father, a mix of shock and amazement on his face.

Ailwin’s strong arms envelop Theo in a warm embrace, pulling him close. His voice is filled with pride and love as he speaks, “My son, you have found the trigger. You have done it!”

I watch as a sense of accomplishment and relief washes over Theo. He feels the weight of his father’s embrace, solid and reassuring. In this moment, there are no words needed to express their bond and shared victory. It is simply understood between them.

“Your mother would have been so proud of you,” Ailwin says.

Theo holds his father tightly, overcome with emotion. “I didn’t know if I could do it,” he says. “But when I saw andfelt that Rose was in danger, something just… changed. I knew I had to protect her. Everything happened so fast.”

Ailwin pulls back slightly, cupping Theo’s face in his hands, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You have always had the strength within you, my son.”

Lord Erhorn emerges from the temple’s doorway, clearing his throat before speaking in a solemn manner. “This is what has been foretold,” he declares with certainty. “It is not a matter of chance,” Lord Erhorn replies. “Your union has been—quite literally—etched in stone since the dawn of time. We have been waiting for this day, for the prophecy to come to fruition.” He gazes at the horizon, where the light from the sun has broken through the darkness. “Come. We have much to discuss.”

Theo’s fingers interlace with mine as we ascend the stone steps of Dragons Edge. Though neither of us know what destiny awaits, we have found strength in each other. And somehow, I know that will be enough to guide us through the trials to come.

Lord Erhorn’s robes swish softly as he leads us into the hallowed halls of the temple, the flickering torchlight casts dancing shadows across the ancient stone walls. More of the ancient temple’s intricate carvings and tapestries, depicting mythic battles and prophetic visions, line our path, echoes of the eternal struggle between good and evil that has carried on since the dawn of time.

At last, we arrive in a cavernous chamber, a fire crackling merrily in a great stone hearth along one wall. Seated before it in a high-backed chair, is King Varitan, his weathered features contemplative as he gazes into the hypnotic flames. As we enter, he immediately stands up, his intense gaze locking onto Theo and I with a grave and determined purpose.

The King lets out a deep sigh as he walks towards us, the flickering flames casting shadows on his aged yet regal face. “I have much to tell you, things that may not be easy for you to hear,” he says with a solemn tone. He motions towards the chairs by the fire. Theo and I sit, never letting go of each other’s hands, steeling ourselves for whatever revelation awaits. The King pauses, seeming to gather his thoughts as he lowers himself into the high-backed chair opposite us.

“I believe it is time for you to know the truth about your past, Rosanhi. The truth about who you really are.” He takes a deep breath before continuing, his wise eyes filled with both sadness and hope as he gazes upon me.

“Long ago, before the Elves’ Great Rising, I would often wander the lands in disguise as a common Elf—the life of royals is not always something to be envied.” He pauses to clear his throat. “I stumbled upon a young Human woman one day… alone in the Forest of Thereah. She was in danger, being chased by a vicious wolf and was crying out for help. Without hesitation, I slayed the beast.” The King falls silent, overcome by the power of memories. When he continues, his voice is thick with feeling.

“The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she would not be just any ordinary woman. She was the most radiant creature I had ever beheld, with flaming red hair and eyes greener than the first leaves of spring. We knew it was forbidden, but we could not deny what lay between us. I still recall the lavender scent of her hair on the night you were conceived.”

He looks up at me then, eyes brimming with centuries of unspoken regret. “Rosanhi… you are no lowly Human. The blood of two worlds flows through your veins. You are the daughter of an Elven King and his Human love—a union banned by the severing of our peoples.”

I stare at him in stunned silence, my mind reeling from his words. The Elven King, my father?

It cannot be true.

“How can this be?” I whisper. “I have lived my entire life not knowing... believing myself an orphan.” Hot tears spill down my cheeks unbidden. The King sighs deeply, the weight of ages heavy upon his shoulders. “It was necessary to keep you hidden. When your mother perished bringing you into this world, the hatred between Elves and men burned bright. Had our people known of your birth, you would not have lived past your first breath.”

Pain flickers across his ageless features. “I took you to the Raven Witches and they cast a spell on you… a glamouring… suppressing your magical abilities and hiding your natural features. The Fire Rite ceremony broke that spell.”

King Varitan’s expression softens as he continues. “Despite the ban against our union, our love was meant to be. Your mother and I were destined to meet, destined to fall in love, and destined to conceive you. The time has come for you to claim your true place in the world, as Princess Rosanhi.” As the King speaks, a heaviness settles in my heart.

The King’s words settle in my mind as a whirlwind of emotions sweep through me. The revelation of my true heritage is overwhelming, but also fills me with a sense of belonging I had never known.

The thought of leaving Meemaw behind tugs at my heart, threatening to dampen the new-found joy within me. “What about Meemaw? I can’t leave her alone in Bahulya, it’s not safe. Especially once the realm finds out about me.”

The image of Meemaw, standing in her kitchen, kneading dough for her honey butter biscuits with her crooked fingers, flashes through my mind. Her kind eyes and warm smile are etched into my memory, and the thought of leaving Meemaw behind was like pulling apart two velvety petals from the same flower, a separation that would create a permanent void in my heart.

The King answers invitingly, “Should your grandmother desire to accompany you, she will be greeted with open arms at the palace.”

I nod, my gratitude mingling with confusion. “Thank you… Your Majesty,” I falter, the words feeling strange. Should I call him that, or… ‘Father’?

“We will send word to her immediately, assuring her of your safety,” he says in a voice filled with warmth and reassurance.

Suddenly, the same steward boy who had delivered the King’s message yesterday morning, rushes in brimming with anticipation, his brown cloak billowing behind him like the wings of a majestic bird. He reaches the King, taking a quick bow of respect before leaning down to whisper into his ear. King Varitan’s eyes widen as he listens to the secrets he is told. Theo and I take a curious glance at one another.

“This can’t be good.”He speaks softly into my mind.

The King pats the boy on the back before dismissing him.

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