Caelan stood at the cave entrance, the wind howling outside as he peered into the swirling snow. His sword, still sheathed at his side, felt heavier than usual, weighed down by more than the battles they had just fought. The air inside the cave was cold, but it was nothing compared to the frost creeping through his thoughts.
Valira had fallen asleep against the rocky wall, her breath steady, her body still recovering from the burst of power she’d unleashed. Caelan watched her for a long moment, the flicker of flames from her earlier display still fresh in his mind. It wasn’t just her power that unsettled him—it was the way she had balanced the fire and ice, a harmony he hadn’t thought possible.
His father had been wrong. Valira wasn’t just some weapon to be destroyed. She was more. And that terrified him.
He turned his gaze back to the storm, his thoughts churning. The Snow Court wouldn’t stop hunting her. Neither would the Ash Court. And now, caught between both worlds, Caelan was forced to make a choice he hadn’t been prepared for.
Footsteps crunched softly behind him, and he turned to see Valira stirring. She blinked, groggy but alert, her eyes flicking toward him with a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity.
“Didn’t think you’d get any sleep,” Caelan said quietly, his voice barely audible over the wind.
“I didn’t mean to,” Valira admitted, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. “But I guess my body had other plans.”
Caelan nodded, his gaze still distant. He could sense the question lingering on her lips—the question she had every right to ask. Why was he helping her? Why hadn’t he killed her? Caelan wasn’t sure of the answer anymore.
“I don’t understand you,” Valira said suddenly, breaking the silence.
He looked at her, brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“You could’ve finished me back there,” she continued, her voice soft but unwavering. “You had orders and plenty of chances. But you haven’t.”
Caelan didn’t respond immediately, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword as he considered his answer. The easy response would’ve been to say that he was biding his time, waiting for the right moment. But it wasn’t the truth, and they both knew it.
“I told you,” he said after a long pause. “You’re not what I expected.”
Valira’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in her gaze. “And what did you expect?”
Caelan let out a slow breath, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I expected a monster. A force of destruction. But you’re not that.”
She said nothing, but he could feel the weight of her stare, the silent challenge hanging between them. Valira would not be satisfied with vague reassurances. She needed answers. And so did he.
He stepped away from the cave entrance, kneeling beside her, his expression serious. “You don’t know what you’re capable of,” he said. “The courts fear you because they’ve never seen anything like you. But that doesn’t mean you’re the threat they think you are.”
Valira met his gaze, her voice soft but filled with determination. “I don’t want to be a threat. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“I know,” Caelan said. “But until you learn to control what’s inside you, the courts won’t see it that way.”
She bit her lip, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “How do I control it? I barely know what I’m doing.”
Caelan’s jaw tightened. He didn’t have an answer for that, either. He had spent his life mastering the cold, honing the power of ice that flowed through his veins. But Valira... she was something entirely different. A force that couldn’t be bound by a single element.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’ll help you figure it out.”
Her eyes widened, surprise flashing across her face. “Why? Why would you help me when you were sent to kill me?”
Caelan hesitated, his mind racing through the reasons he had told himself over and over. Duty. Guilt. Curiosity. But deep down, there was something else—a flicker of something he didn’t want to name.
“Because I think you’re the key to ending this war,” he said, his voice low. “And because... maybe I don’t want to follow my orders anymore.”
Valira looked at him, a mixture of hope and doubt swirling in her gaze. She struggled to understand her power, identity, and role in a world that deemed her dangerous. Caelan understood that, despite controlling her power, enemies would surround her on the road ahead.
The storm outside died down, the howling wind softening into a faint whisper. Caelan stood, his expression hardening once more as he strapped his sword to his side.
“We need to move before they find us again,” he said, offering his hand to her. “The Ash Court won’t stop until they have you.”
Valira took his hand, her grip firm despite the uncertainty in her eyes. She stood beside him, her shoulders squared as if preparing for the weight of what was coming.
“And the Snow Court?” she asked quietly.
Caelan’s jaw clenched. “They won’t stop either. But I won’t let them take you.”
Valira nodded, and without another word, they stepped out into the fading storm, the frozen wasteland stretching before them. Valira, for the first time, felt hope despite the long, dangerous journey ahead.
She wasn’t alone. Not anymore.
Maybe she could control the warring fire and ice.
* * *
The snowstorm had subsided into a faint, icy breeze, leaving a thick blanket of white across the forest floor. Valira and Caelan trudged through the snow in silence, their breaths forming misty clouds in the cold air. The storm may have passed, but the weight of their situation hadn’t lifted.
Valira’s mind was a jumble of thoughts, her earlier dream still echoing in the back of her mind like a half-forgotten memory. The queen’s fiery resemblance felt too real to be a mere dream. And now, with Caelan’s revelations, the pieces were falling into place.
Her mother had tried to unite the Courts of Snow and Ash, and it had destroyed her. Valira’s stomach twisted at the thought. What if she made the same mistakes? To bring nothing but ruin?
“Caelan,” she began, her voice tentative as they continued through the snow. “Do you think my mother was wrong? Trying to unite the courts, I mean.”
Caelan’s expression was guarded, his gaze fixed ahead. “I don’t know enough to say for certain. But if your mother believed she could control both fire and ice, it was more than just ambition. She must have had a reason.”
Valira shivered, not from the cold, but from the weight of his words. “But she failed. She lost control of the power.”
“Maybe,” Caelan replied, his voice calm. “But we don’t know what happened to her in the end. Maybe it wasn’t her power that failed—maybe it was the courts themselves.”
Valira frowned, her thoughts clouded with confusion. She had been so focused on suppressing her power, so terrified of what she might become, that she hadn’t considered the possibility that her mother’s failure wasn’t entirely her fault. What if it was the courts that had driven her to destruction? What if this whole war, this endless conflict between fire and ice, was built on a foundation of fear and misunderstanding?
As they walked, Valira’s thoughts drifted back to her dream—the vision of the fiery queen consumed by flames. She could still feel the heat from it, the overwhelming fire that had nearly burned her from the inside out. It wasn’t just a memory; it was a warning.
“There has to be more to it,” Valira muttered to herself, her brow furrowed.
Caelan shot her a sidelong glance. “What do you mean?”
“The dream I had... It felt like more than just a memory. Like there was something else my mother wanted me to see. Or something she wanted to tell me.”
Caelan slowed his pace, his gaze sharp. “You think your mother is reaching out to you from beyond the grave?”
Valira hesitated, her pulse quickening. “I don’t know. I can’t ignore the sense that there’s more to this, something I must comprehend in time.
Caelan’s jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. “If that’s true, then we need to find answers. And quickly. The courts won’t give us much time.”
Valira nodded, her mind already racing ahead. Unsure where to begin, she couldn’t uncover her mother’s truth. But one thing was certain - her fate may mirror it. She could lose herself to the power inside her, just as her mother had.
They walked in silence, the snow crunching beneath their boots. Valira’s thoughts were spinning, but she couldn’t ignore the strange sense of urgency growing in her chest. She didn’t just need to control the power within her—she needed to understand it. To understand why it existed, and what her mother had truly intended.
“We should rest soon,” Caelan said after a while, glancing up at the sky, which was darkening as night approached. “The storm has passed, but the temperature will drop quickly once the sun goes down.”
Valira nodded, though the idea of resting again so soon made her uneasy. Time felt like a luxury they couldn’t afford, especially with the Ash Court still hunting them.
As they reached a small clearing, Caelan motioned for her to stop. The snow was deep here, but the thick canopy of trees blocked the worst of the wind. Caelan cleared a patch of ground for a fire, his movements quick and efficient.
Valira crouched beside him, watching as he worked. “You’re pretty good at this,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Caelan gave her a small, fleeting smile. “Survival isn’t optional in the Snow Court.”
Valira’s heart ached at the reminder of the life he had left behind. He was risking everything by helping her—his duty, his loyalty to his kingdom, and perhaps even his life. And yet, here he was, fighting beside her, despite everything.
“I’m sorry,” Valira said softly, her voice barely audible over the wind.
Caelan paused, his eyes flicking to hers in surprise. “For what?”
“For dragging you into this,” she continued, her gaze dropping to the snow. “For putting you in a position where you have to choose between your kingdom and—”
“Don’t,” Caelan interrupted, his voice firm. “This was my choice. No one forced me to help you.”
Valira looked up, meeting his gaze. There was a sincerity in his eyes that made her chest tighten. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to express the gratitude—and guilt—she felt.
Before she could respond, a crack echoed through the trees, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps.
Caelan was on his feet in an instant, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the forest.
“They’ve found us,” he muttered, his voice low and tense.
Valira’s heart pounded in her chest as she stood, her body tensing. She could feel the fire stirring within her, the heat rising in her veins.
The Ash Court was closing in.
* * *
Valira’s pulse quickened, the crack of footsteps echoing in the quiet forest as her heart thudded in her chest. Caelan stood tense beside her, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword. The fire in her veins stirred, the heat simmering beneath her skin, warning her of the danger creeping closer.
She strained her ears, listening to the approach of their pursuers. Whoever it was, they were moving quickly—too quickly. Valira’s breath caught as she realized they weren’t alone anymore.
“Stay low,” Caelan whispered, his voice tight as he crouched beside her. “We can’t let them surround us.”
Valira nodded, dropping to the ground, the cold snow soaking through her cloak. Her mind raced, her senses heightened by the growing tension. She could feel the heat rising inside her, the fire eager to escape, but she fought to keep it in check. This wasn’t the time to lose control.
Caelan’s eyes darted toward the trees, his expression hardening. “They’re coming from both sides.”
Panic flickered through Valira, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn’t afford to lose her head now. Not when they were so close.
“What do we do?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“We fight,” Caelan replied, his tone resolute. He drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the fading light. “But we have to be smart. Stay behind me, and don’t use your power unless you have no choice. They’ll sense it.”
Valira swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew he was right. The moment she unleashed her power, the Ash Court would know exactly where she was. But if they were outnumbered...
Before she could ponder further, the first figure entered the clearing, his silhouette highlighted by dim light. He wore the dark robes of the Ash Court, his face obscured by a hood, but Valira could see the faint glow of fire flickering at his fingertips.
The hunter.
Behind him, two more figures emerged from the trees, their eyes locked onto Valira and Caelan. Their movements were slow, deliberate, like predators stalking their prey.
Caelan tensed beside her, his grip on the sword tightening. “There’s no way around this,” he muttered under his breath. “When I move, follow my lead.”
Valira’s throat tightened, her hands trembling as she nodded. The fire inside her was flaring now, desperate to be set free. But she held it back, just as Caelan had warned. For now.
The lead hunter took a step forward, his hand raised, fire swirling in his palm. “The Ash Queen wants her alive,” he called out, his voice cold and commanding. “But the prince... you’re expendable.”
Valira’s heart leapt in her chest as the hunter hurled the fireball toward Caelan. The flames shot through the air, crackling with deadly heat, but Caelan was already moving. In a blur of motion, he raised his sword, deflecting the fire with a burst of icy energy that sent the flames scattering harmlessly to the ground.
The other two hunters lunged forward, their movements swift and precise. Valira gasped, her instincts kicking in as she stepped back, but Caelan was there, his sword flashing as he parried their attacks. Steel clashed with flame, the sound of battle filling the clearing as Caelan fought off the hunters with skill and precision.
Valira’s breath came in ragged gasps as she watched, her body trembling with the effort of holding back the fire. She wanted to help him, to do something—anything—but Caelan’s words echoed in her mind. Don’t use your power unless you have no choice.
One of the hunters broke off from the fight, his gaze locking onto Valira. Her heart pounded in her ears as he approached, his hands ablaze with fire. She stepped back, her breath catching in her throat as he raised his hand, preparing to strike.
“I’ve got her,” he hissed, his eyes narrowing with malice.
Time seemed to slow. Valira’s pulse quickened, and the fire inside her flared, a surge of heat rushing through her veins. She couldn’t hold it back anymore. Not this time.
With a desperate cry, Valira raised her hands, the fire bursting from her palms in a fiery arc. The hunter barely had time to react before the flames engulfed him, his scream piercing the air as he staggered back, consumed by the inferno.
Valira’s chest heaved, her hands trembling as the fire receded. The air shimmered with heat, the snow beneath her feet melting into water. She had done it—she had controlled the fire. But at what cost?
Caelan turned, his eyes widening as he saw what she had done. “Valira, no!” he shouted, his voice filled with panic. “They’ll know where we are!”
But it was too late. In the distance, Valira could already see more figures moving through the trees, drawn to the surge of power she had unleashed.
The Ash Court was coming. And now, they knew exactly where to find her.
* * *
Valira’s heart pounded as she watched more hunters emerge from the shadows of the forest, their eyes glowing with the same fiery light. Her hands trembled, the remnants of heat from her attack still burning in her palms. She had done exactly what Caelan had warned her not to—she had unleashed her power, and now the Ash Court knew where she was.
Caelan shot her a sharp look, his expression a mixture of frustration and fear. “We need to move, now!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Valira nodded, her pulse racing. But as she took a step back, she felt the heat in the air intensify, the ground beneath her feet growing warmer. The hunters were closing in, their movements swift and deliberate, fire swirling in their hands.
Panic surged through her. There were too many of them—more than she and Caelan could fight off on their own. She clenched her fists, the fire within her begging to be unleashed again, but she hesitated. The last time she’d used it, she had revealed their location. What if she made things worse?
“We’ll never outrun them,” Valira said breathlessly, her gaze flicking to the hunters. “They’re too fast.”
Caelan’s jaw tightened as he scanned the clearing. “We don’t need to outrun them,” he muttered. “We just need to slow them down.”
Before Valira could respond, Caelan turned toward the advancing hunters and raised his hand. A blast of icy wind erupted from his palm, spreading across the ground in a wave of frost. The snow hardened instantly; the temperature plummeting as a sheet of ice formed beneath the hunters’ feet. The nearest one slipped, crashing to the ground, his fire extinguished in a puff of steam.
“Run!” Caelan shouted, grabbing Valira’s hand and pulling her toward the trees.
They sprinted into the forest, the cold air stinging Valira’s face as they wove through the trees. Her heart hammered in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Behind them, she could hear the shouts of the hunters, their frustration echoing through the woods as they struggled to regain their footing.
But Valira knew it wouldn’t last. They couldn’t run forever.
Caelan pulled her along, his pace relentless. He didn’t speak, his focus entirely on the path ahead. The trees grew denser, their branches forming a thick canopy overhead, blocking out what little light remained. With each step, the darkness deepened, turning the world into a realm of shadows and icy chill.
Finally, they reached a small clearing, and Caelan slowed, his breath heavy from exertion. Valira doubled over, trying to catch her breath, her lungs burning from the cold air.
“We can’t keep this up,” she gasped, her chest heaving. “They’ll find us.”
Caelan’s expression was grim as he scanned the surrounding forest. “I know,” he said quietly. “But we have to keep moving. We’re too close to give up now.”
Valira frowned, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Too close to what?”
Caelan hesitated, his gaze flicking to her before he spoke. “There’s someone who can help us. A contact I trust. If we can reach them before the Ash Court catches up, we might stand a chance.”
Valira’s heart sank. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“Because I wasn’t sure if we’d make it this far,” Caelan admitted, his voice low. “But now... we have no other choice.”
Valira straightened, her mind racing. She didn’t know if she could trust him, didn’t know if this mysterious contact would be able to help, but they had no other options. The Ash Court was hunting her, and the Snow Court wanted her dead. Caelan was the only one standing between her and the forces that sought to destroy her.
“Okay,” she said quietly. “Let’s go.”
They moved through the trees again, this time slower, more cautious. The sounds of pursuit had faded, but Valira knew it wouldn’t be long before the hunters picked up their trail again. Every crack of a branch or rustle of leaves set her on edge, her nerves frayed from the constant tension.
As they pushed deeper into the forest, the air grew colder, the snow beneath their feet crunching with every step. Valira shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders, but the cold was a welcome relief compared to the heat that still simmered inside her. She had come so close to losing control, and the thought of what might have happened terrified her.
Caelan walked ahead, his posture tense, his eyes scanning the surroundings with practiced vigilance. He hadn’t spoken much since they had fled the clearing, and Valira could feel the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. She wanted to ask him more about his contact, about what they would do once they reached safety, but she didn’t have the energy to press him.
After what felt like hours, they finally reached the edge of the forest. Valira blinked against the sudden brightness as they stepped into an open field, the sun dipping low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the snow.
“There,” Caelan said, pointing to a cluster of buildings in the distance. “We’re almost there.”
Valira squinted, her heart leaping with hope. It looked like a small village, nestled at the base of a mountain, smoke curling from the chimneys of a few houses. Relief washed over her—maybe they had a chance after all.
But before they could take another step, a loud crack split the air.
Valira whirled around, her breath catching in her throat. Standing at the edge of the forest, the hunters had found them, fire blazing in their hands.
The chase was over. They were cornered.
* * *
Valira’s breath caught as she locked eyes with the lead hunter, his hand already raised, fire crackling at his fingertips. Caelan stepped in front of her, sword drawn. She could see the tension in his stance—there were too many of them, and they had nowhere left to run.
The hunters advanced slowly, their footsteps crunching through the snow, the flames in their hands casting long, flickering shadows across the field. Valira’s pulse quickened, the fire in her chest surging with a mix of fear and desperation.
They had reached the village, but it didn’t matter. The Ash Court wouldn’t stop until they had her.
“We’re out of time,” Caelan muttered, his voice tight with frustration.
Valira’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t let this happen. Not here. Not like this. She had to do something.
But what? If she unleashed the fire inside her, she risked losing control again. She risked becoming the very weapon the courts feared.
“Valira,” Caelan said, his voice low and urgent. “You need to listen to me. You can’t fight them all.”
Her breath hitched as she looked at him, panic rising in her chest. “Then what do we do?”
Caelan’s eyes darkened, a fierce determination flashing in his gaze. “You run. I’ll hold them off.”
Valira’s heart froze. “No. You can’t—”
“There’s no other choice,” Caelan interrupted, his tone sharp. “They want you. If I can buy you some time, you can make it to the village. Find my contact. They’ll protect you.”
Valira shook her head, her voice breaking. “I’m not leaving you.”
“You have to,” Caelan said, his voice softer now. “You’re the one who can end this. Not me.”
Tears blurred Valira’s vision as she looked at him, her chest aching with the weight of his words. She couldn’t lose him—not now, not after everything they had been through.
But before she could say anything more, the hunters moved in, their flames roaring to life.
Caelan stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the dying light.
And Valira ran.