Bound by fire and magic

ainst dirt filling the night air. The world outside was a blur of trees

dows across his face, making his sharp features even more severe. He hadn't spo

is," she said softly, fi

flicked to hers, cold a

ver deal my father made..

hing that wasn't quite a smi

and she hated the vulnerabili

important t

age jolted to a stop. Aleksandr was on his feet i

e order was low

ver been good at

ehind him. The air was thick with tension - and m

oice called f

el

and determined. Behind him stood several fi

said, his voice shaki

a mistake," A

, sending a gust of wind through the

t pounded. "

first arrow flew - and th

d find its target, Aleksandr moved. Fast - too fast. One second he was beside her,

dened in shock.

just slightly toward Elara and said in a v

panic rising. "I'm

the secon

and ice, wind and shadow. Aleksandr met them head-on, his own power erupt

ble. She'd heard whispers of magic - the forbidden kind - but to see it like

d, his voice desperate as h

e of the storm, his face calm as his fire met their attack

grabbed her wrist, his touch fam

e. "What are you doing, Kaele

Kaelen's eyes flashed. "

ed so fast she didn't see him until his hand was arou

dr's voice was soft, but i

cried, grabbing Alek

green eyes burned into Kaelen's, and the air grew thick

to the ground, ga

e him. "Kaelen, w

hoarse. "You don't know what you're tied

em. "Say another word," he war

on was su

squaring her shoulders even as her hea

sted with pain. "

softly. "And yo

y by the crackling of distant flames. Finally, Kae

His grip was firm, pos

idn't l

-

elt even smaller now. Aleksandr sat across from her, his face unreadable

" he said suddenly,

ked up. "

ked the man y

he's my friend. But he d

andr's lips curved into somet

said slowly, "y

nd endless and far too dang

acing. "But I'm beginning to think you'r

ething like surprise fl

answer, the carria

he wheels skidded. And

-

carriage lay on its side, the night air cold

la

d, she saw him pushing debris off his body. Blo

hurt?" he

hed for him without thinking,

cond, the heat between them was

growl spl

he trees shifted. Eyes g

ksandr mutter

en't wolves at all. Their shapes were wrong - too big

me," Aleksa

hand was alr

ippled like shadows, their eyes gleaming with unnatural light. Elara's fingers t

they?" she

r's voice was grim. "T

t creatu

es erupted from his hands, slamming into the creature mid-air.

barked. "Sta

eat in her hands built higher, hotter - until she r

ed, shrieking in agony. Aleksandr's

at'

him off as anothe

red it. They moved in rhythm, as if they'd been fighting together for years. And t

fell with a fina

nce

gling with leftover power. She turned slo

," he said soft

I... I don't kno

ayed where he was, his emerald eyes

m n

be afraid

ped closer

ng she didn't dare name. Aleksandr's jaw tightened, but he didn't pul

urt," she

" But his voic

- the fire crackling low around them,

la

ce shattered

his face pale and desperate. "Are you alright? I-" Hi

top him, Kaelen ha

ra said quic

was t

ght between them - between two men, between fire and steel, betw

leksandr warned

aelen spat. "You're

ds flared, and both men fell silent. "I won't

th frustration. "He's no

you," Aleksan

you - stop." She turned to K

n her heart. But she couldn't back down

ood told her her fate was a

," she sa

arm, steady, and far more dange

t Kaelen

is wasn't over. N

-

arely more than a ruin - cracked walls and flickering lantern

the flames dance. She was exhaus

hinking t

t the doorframe, arms crossed, watchin

rything I thought I knew..." She shoo

is voice was softer than she'd ever heard it. "Someti

m. Beneath the fire and the danger, the

ruth, Aleksand

e. "You don't

t I

and sat beside her. The firelight cast shadows

inally. "Magic. Power. Death. I d

d n

I sur

e. But the weight be

ed. "You don't ha

. Then - so softly she almost di

brushed hers, he

ither

-

t passed

rning came, it

the sound of horses. The sec

t in an instant. Elara f

- and the man on th

, Alek

the same unnatural light as the

en lookin