A Flame in the Shadow

old onto. She knows that. She knows me. That's why sh

deafening. My wrists are bound with a soul wire that hums every time I

e stones know to fear her. She doesn't look at me right away. She trails her fingers along the chains on the wall, humming some forg

" She says, voice soft, almos

on't

les. "N

hat. She wants rage, defiance, emotio

ek. her touch is far too gentle for the monster I know she is. I wonder what she is up

rs. "Still clinging to that flicker of hop

rge to spit in her face. Defiance has gotte

. She won't I have seen it. Shall

Her fingers press against my temple an

other man, curled agai

whispers. "Bastion n

ought you would choose

ke she never once looked at me. Devotion

collarbone and she l

e visio

e-forged armor, standin

" She says. "Too foolish and self-c

folded, looking like a muscle-bound g

him rot. He was ne

, my dry throat couldn't handle it. But insid

atching me. Watching to s

r from my cheek that I hadn't realiz

er say those t

his name. The bond has already began to changer her. H

er warm breath a soft caress. "But I still care. I chose you when no one else did. I see your pai

is right? What if Ember has forgotten me already? What if she is warm in another man's arms w

lieve you."

cold and calcula

her like a crown. I am alone again with my