CROWN OF THE FORGOTTEN FLAMES

windowpanes. It was a chill that spoke of something older than any winter she had ever felt, a lingering magic that made her finger

g the palace servants and scholars. And yet, ever since she could remember, she felt... different. Magic pulsed faintly

rate, heavy, echoing in a way that made the

k. Immort

ing to do with the frost. His presence carried centuries of power and restraint, and yet beneath

a low rumble, teasing, dangerous. "But I've been asleep long

I live here," she stammered, though the words sounded sma

y. "Ella," he echoed. "A name that burns and

fying. Magic flared faintly beneath her skin, and she realized with a start that the palace itself responded, w

is'

palace beneath him - the faint echo of Old Winter stirring, the subtle hum of magic, and t

th each step. The air around him darkened, a subtle chill mix

, only curiosity and a faint defiance. He had met many mortals, many who had wield

ly, longing to reach out, to test, t

per for himself. And yet, the palace seemed to lean in, to listen, as though the

a's

nation, and an unexpected thrill. She realized, suddenly, that the pulse of her own magic resonated with his presence. Flame and

you here?" s

irtatious, "what the world has produced while I slept... a

ull she felt - toward power, toward danger, toward a dark imm

aintly around her, responding to the quiet hum of destiny. She did not yet

is'

flame he had not felt in centuries. Yet beneath the hunger was something else - curiosity, f

nough that the scent of her, faintly sweet and impossibly al

. And somewhere deep beneath Valerith Palace, the Old Wi