Page 80 of King of Flames and Shadows

Secured, and yet, some part of it is gone.

All of it might as well be, now.

I rise slowly, my body heavy with a weariness that has nothing to do with physical exhaustion. Around me, the hall bears witness to what just occurred—stone melted like wax where her power touched it, shadows burned permanently into the walls like inverse sunbursts. The air still crackles with residual energy, making my scales itch beneath my skin.

One of the chains that once bound her catches my eye—a single link that hasn't crumbled to ash. I pick it up, feeling its cold weight in my palm. The metal has been twisted into something barely recognizable, warped by forces I can hardly comprehend.

Another groan from Ulric draws my attention. He stirs, trying to push himself up from the floor, his face twisted in pain.

I should kill him. Should end this here and now, while he's weak, while I still have the chance.

But I'm so tired of death. So tired of fighting. So tired of this endless cycle of violence and betrayal that seems to define our bloodline.

Besides, what would be the point? She's gone. The only thing that mattered, the only person who made any of this worthwhile, has vanished like morning mist before the sun.

I turn away from my brother, from the destruction, from everything I've built and lost. Through the broken walls, I cansee the first hint of true dawn breaking over the mountains. The sky is clearing, the unnatural light fading completely now, leaving only the familiar gray of morning.

Somewhere out there, she's free. Free of my chains, free of my love, free of everything I tried to make her be.

I love you.

Morning comes. I’ve found it always will. The sun rises over Millrath, painting the smoke-filled sky in shades of blood and gold. My kingdom lies in ruins around me, my enemies scattered but not defeated, my brother broken but not dead. There will be more war soon. There will be enemies still more fearsome, battles still more gruesome.

And yet, I find within myself, as I stagger to the underchamber, where my throne is unbroken, that I am still king.

My throne room is cavernous in its emptiness. The torches have all been blown out in the storm, the wind, the fighting; yet the pale, sheer glow of dawn casts long shadows across bloodstained marble. My seat of power, untouched by the chaos above, looms before me like an accusation.

Those traitors did not take it. And they will all need to pay, in time. I’ll rip their throats out one by one.

I sit at my throne, holding my crown in one hand, watching it as if waiting for it to come alive and eat me.

Some time passes. Eventually, Darian's footsteps echo as he enters, limping but alive. I hear him pause upon seeing me, though not for long.

Without a word, he takes his place beside the throne. I can see the way he favors his right leg, the way dried blood has matted his hair to his temple. Neither of us speaks. We simplyexist in the hollow silence, two survivors in a sea of wreckage, watching light’s pale fingers creep across the floor through the high windows.

Time passes. Above us, the sounds of battle have faded to nothing. Below, the city holds its breath, waiting to see what remains of its king. Soon, my people will emerge from the catacombs where my family lies sleeping. Soon, it begins once more.

I’m back where I started.

"The queen?" Darian finally asks, his voice rough with smoke and fatigue. "Is she…?"

I lift my crown. One of the points is cracked, the metal bent and tarnished. Like everything else, it will need to be remade.

"Gather what remains of our forces," I say to the empty chamber, settling the crown upon my brow. Its weight is familiar, grounding. "We set out to find her tomorrow.”

Chapter 38 - Calliope

Outside Millrath's walls, the world is so still and silent. I had forgotten what the wilds sounded like, no distant clanging of forges, no hum of enchantments in the walls. No clanging of chains around my ankles.

No beasts prowl the shadows; no dragons wheel overhead. Even the wind seems hesitant, carrying only the faintest scent of smoke from the burning city behind me.

My bare feet bleed against the frozen ground as I stumble north. The power that surged through me has left me hollow, trembling, barely able to stand.

But I keep moving. I have to.

Dawn breaks over the mountains, painting the snow-covered peaks in shades of rose and gold. Below them, the Great Northern Road stretches like a black ribbon through the wilderness. Somewhere along that road, hundreds of miles north, lies Fort Caddell—the only human city in Kaldoria. The only place that might offer shelter to a runaway queen.

If I can survive long enough to reach it, it might just protect me.

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