Embers In The Snow

dden Hearts, Fr

as the call of warning, a sound only heard when the boundaries of Frostveil were crossed without permission. Guards scrambled into position, citizens peeked from their d

eting Kaden under the cover of night for weeks now, indulging in stolen moments in the hidden caves along the border. They

Edric, his frosty gaze narrowing at the sight of her. The air around him shimmered with the

voice a cold blade, "t

al settling on her shoulders, but she forced herself

lder. "A Pyrovale prince? Have you lost your mind? They a

ir expressions. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Pyrovale, similar outrage had erupted. King Halvar, Kaden's father, had gathered his counci

us as the lava pits surrounding Pyrovale's palace. The counc

and Kaden strode in, defiance blazing in his eye

dare you betray your blood, your kingdom, by consorting w

ling against his skin. "I love her, Father. Lira and I... we're more than just s

rdized the fragile peace that took decades to establish. Do you think Frostveil

ruly want peace, maybe it's time we

isper. "Then I'll make this simple, Kaden. Choos

o had been his mentor, his guide. But when he thought of Lira, her laughter like the sound of fall

in silence, aware that he had just cros

ment through the walls, the icy disdain of Frostveil's citizens, and the barely concealed anger of her own kin. She ga

see her mother, Queen Alara, enter the room. Unlike

e measured, "do you understand the

do. But I can't help how I feel. Kaden is... h

ve may be powerful, Lira, but it is not always enough

ld her ground. "I'm willing to f

ing. "Then know this: the council has advised your father to prepare for war. He

ed. "War? But we o

plied, her tone heavy with regret. "Some

ays until he reached the cliffs overlooking the palace. He had to see Lira, to reassure her that they

s in the freezing air. After a moment, the window opened, and

embraced, and for a fleeting moment, the world me

ng back to look into his eyes. "Both

ira. I'll find a way to make them understand. We can

, to sacrifice us." Her voice wavered, and she felt the weight of their l

ds behind. There are places beyond the borders where no one know

ily, everything she'd ever known. But when she looked into Kaden

burst open, and Frostveil guards poured in, their eyes cold and unyielding. They sur

, struggling against

ity, "you are hereby detained for violating the peace treaty between Frostve

unding. But he held his head high, his gaze fixed on L

halls as she tried to reach him, but they held her back, th

and brutal. Kaden was to be held as a prisoner until an agreement could be re

g any talk of peace so long as Kaden remained captive. The kingdoms braced themselv

he route to the dungeons, her heart pounding with fear and determination. She reach

ered. "I'm getting

f we try to escape, t

. We'll find a place whe

the knowledge of the danger ahead. But then he took her

dodging guards and slipping through the icy streets. The nig