Embers to Flames (Fates Entwined #1)

Chapter Eighteen

Theo’s wings are spread wide into the air, his body glowing with a fiery light that seems to burn away the darkness, as he begins to… change. His skin ripples like the surface of a disturbed pond, muscles swelling and expanding as scales emerge like shimmering, iridescent armor. His bones crack and elongate, contouring his elven form into something both majestic and terrifying.

With a guttural roar, his face pushes forward, nose and mouth merging into a snout full of dagger-like teeth. Horns spiral from his temples, curing back like the branches of ancient trees. His fingers fuse and stretch into claws. Each one capable of rendering steel as easily as paper. His wings, once a feathery display, are now bat-like and leathery, spanning wide with razor-sharp edges that glint in the dim light of the moon. The air around him crackles with energy, charged with power beyond comprehension.

As Theo’s body transforms, his eyes blaze with intensity, and the color of his scales shift like a kaleidoscope, from a fiery orange to a radiant white, then eventually settling into a breathtaking combination of gold and white. His new-found Dragon form seems to contain the essence of both sunlight and moonlight, illuminating the dark canyon with a mystic glow.

And then, with the speed of a falling star, Theo lunges at the figure. The wind howls, the earth trembles, and the sky darkens, as if the world itself is reacting to the presence of this monstrous being. The figure, seemingly frozen in terror, doesn’t move. It’s as if it knows what’s coming. It knows it’s not ready and that it’s about to face its doom. Theo’s jaw unhinges, revealing a row of razor-sharp teeth that glint in the moonlight. And with a thunderous roar that sends shockwaves through the air, he spews flames from his mouth, scorching everything in its path. The flames erupt from his maw, like a raging inferno unleashed. They dance and flicker, painting the air a deep, fiery crimson. The heat radiates out, scorching the very atmosphere around them.

The figure, too terrified to move, is engulfed in the blaze. It shrieks, a sound that cuts through the air like a thousand shattered glasses. The light from the flames casts grotesque shadows on the canyon walls, twisting and contorting into nightmarish silhouettes. And then, just as suddenly as it had erupted, the fire subsides. The world is left in silence, other than the distant crackle and hiss of Theo’s flames dying down.

The mysterious figure, a shimmering silhouette against the moonlit sky, begins to dissolve into thin air. Slowly at first, wisps of smoke rise from its form, curling and twisting like snakes as they reach towards the stars. The figure's once defined outline blurs, its edges softening until it becomes nothing more than a fine mist hovering in the night. As the mist swirls and dances in the updraft of lingering heat, I catch a fleeting glimpse of Prince Ruvyn in its dissolving shape, sending chills down my spine with the haunting realization. Finally, the mist dissipates completely, leaving no trace behind - just like the figure that had captured my curiosity and fear.

The canyon is left in an eerie quiet. The only sound is the distant wind, whispering through the rocks and shrubs. Theo’s voice rings through my mind.

“Are you alright, my sweet?”

“Theo… you… you shifted.” I struggle to speak. “But how?”

“I don’t know, something in me just… ignited. I couldn’t let anything happen to you.” His tail flicked behind him, a subtle display of his protective instincts . “I was afraid, but I knew that I had to protect you at all costs. I vowed to be your protector.”

He slowly lowered a wing towards the ground, the movement deliberate and careful, beckoning me to climb up his massive frame. “Now, my sweet, it is time for you to learn how to ride me in my Dragon form,” his voice spoke softly within my mind.

I guide my way up and onto his back. His scales are surprisingly smooth to the touch despite their sharp appearance. As I settle onto his back, a chilling realization hits me.

“Theo, that figure… it was Prince Ruvyn. He was spying on us. He knows I’ve been turned into an elf.”

Theo’s eyes narrow, a low growl rumbling from his chest. “Prince Ruvyn? But why would he care so much?”

“I don’t know,” I reply, my voice trembling. “Why would he go to such lengths to watch us? What does he gain from knowing about my transformation?”

Theo’s voice is firm in my mind. “Whatever his reasons, we must be cautious. His interest in you can only mean trouble. But remember, I am here to protect you, no matter what. Now, hold on tight.”

Wrapping my trembling arms around Theo’s broad, scaly neck, I can feel his muscles tense beneath me. A low rumble builds in his throat, growing into a powerful roar that shakes the very air around us. The sound reverberates off the canyon walls, echoing into the night like a primal declaration of our presence.

With one fluid motion, he spreads his majestic wings and with a grace that belies his size, he launches us skyward in one fluid motion. The ground falls away beneath us, and my stomach lurches with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. Each powerful beat of his wings sends tremors through his body and into mine, creating a rhythm that feels like the very pulse of the earth itself.

I look down at the ground below, which now appears like a miniature world with tiny specks of buildings and trees. The rushing wind whips through my hair, tugging at it like playful fingers, and I can’t help but laugh in pure exhilaration.

Theo’s gentle voice breaks through my thoughts, “Lean back,” he whispers, “Trust me, my sweet.”

I hesitate for a moment, my fingers instinctively tightening on his scales. But as I gaze at the star-strewn sky above us, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. Slowly, I relax my grip and lean back, spreading my arms out wide to welcome the wind.

We glide effortlessly over the canyon, and I marvel at how something so massive can move with such grace. It feels as if we are skimming the very edge of the world, close enough to touch the twinkling stars above. In that moment, suspended between earth and sky, I feel a freedom I’d never known before.

Time seems to lose all meaning as we fly through the night. My heart races with a cocktail of emotions—excitement, awe, and a deep, abiding love for the incredible being beneath me.

As the first blush of dawn begins to paint the horizon, Theo gently banks towards the ground in front of the temple, lowering one of his magnificent wings, creating a graceful arc for me to descend on. As I carefully place my foot onto his outstretched front paw, I feel his bright golden eyes watching over me as I make my way down to the ground below. Then he begins to shift back into his Elf form, his eyes still filled with love and pride. His scales diminish and recede into skin. The bat-like wings soften back to their feathery state. His elongated snout retracts, facial features softening and reshaping back into his elven visage. The horns dissolve into the air like mist, and the fearsome claws shrink, morphing back into delicate fingers.

Theo stands up, his eyes shifting past me towards the entrance of the temple. There, standing in the doorway… is his father, a mix of shock and amazement on his face.

Ailwin’s strong arms envelop Theo in a warm embrace, pulling him close. His voice is filled with pride and love as he speaks, “My son, you have found the trigger. You have done it!”

I watch as a sense of accomplishment and relief washes over Theo. He feels the weight of his father’s embrace, solid and reassuring. In this moment, there are no words needed to express their bond and shared victory. It is simply understood between them.

“Your mother would have been so proud of you,” Ailwin says.

Theo holds his father tightly, overcome with emotion. “I didn’t know if I could do it,” he says. “But when I saw and felt that Rose was in danger, something just… changed. I knew I had to protect her. Everything happened so fast.”

Ailwin pulls back slightly, cupping Theo’s face in his hands, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You have always had the strength within you, my son.”

Lord Erhorn emerges from the temple’s doorway, clearing his throat before speaking in a solemn manner. “This is what has been foretold,” he declares with certainty. “It is not a matter of chance,” Lord Erhorn replies. “Your union has been—quite literally—etched in stone since the dawn of time. We have been waiting for this day, for the prophecy to come to fruition.” He gazes at the horizon, where the light from the sun has broken through the darkness. “Come. We have much to discuss.”

Theo’s fingers interlace with mine as we ascend the stone steps of Dragons Edge. Though neither of us know what destiny awaits, we have found strength in each other. And somehow, I know that will be enough to guide us through the trials to come.

Lord Erhorn’s robes swish softly as he leads us into the hallowed halls of the temple, the flickering torchlight casts dancing shadows across the ancient stone walls. More of the ancient temple’s intricate carvings and tapestries, depicting mythic battles and prophetic visions, line our path, echoes of the eternal struggle between good and evil that has carried on since the dawn of time .

At last, we arrive in a cavernous chamber, a fire crackling merrily in a great stone hearth along one wall. Seated before it in a high-backed chair, is King Varitan, his weathered features contemplative as he gazes into the hypnotic flames. As we enter, he immediately stands up, his intense gaze locking onto Theo and I with a grave and determined purpose.

The King lets out a deep sigh as he walks towards us, the flickering flames casting shadows on his aged yet regal face. “I have much to tell you, things that may not be easy for you to hear,” he says with a solemn tone. He motions towards the chairs by the fire. Theo and I sit, never letting go of each other’s hands, steeling ourselves for whatever revelation awaits. The King pauses, seeming to gather his thoughts as he lowers himself into the high-backed chair opposite us.

“I believe it is time for you to know the truth about your past, Rosanhi. The truth about who you really are.” He takes a deep breath before continuing, his wise eyes filled with both sadness and hope as he gazes upon me.

“Long ago, before the Elves’ Great Rising, I would often wander the lands in disguise as a common Elf—the life of royals is not always something to be envied.” He pauses to clear his throat. “I stumbled upon a young Human woman one day… alone in the Forest of Thereah. She was in danger, being chased by a vicious wolf and was crying out for help. Without hesitation, I slayed the beast.” The King falls silent, overcome by the power of memories. When he continues, his voice is thick with feeling .

“The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she would not be just any ordinary woman. She was the most radiant creature I had ever beheld, with flaming red hair and eyes greener than the first leaves of spring. We knew it was forbidden, but we could not deny what lay between us. I still recall the lavender scent of her hair on the night you were conceived.”

He looks up at me then, eyes brimming with centuries of unspoken regret. “Rosanhi… you are no lowly Human. The blood of two worlds flows through your veins. You are the daughter of an Elven King and his Human love—a union banned by the severing of our peoples.”

I stare at him in stunned silence, my mind reeling from his words. The Elven King, my father?

It cannot be true.

“How can this be?” I whisper. “I have lived my entire life not knowing... believing myself an orphan.” Hot tears spill down my cheeks unbidden. The King sighs deeply, the weight of ages heavy upon his shoulders. “It was necessary to keep you hidden. When your mother perished bringing you into this world, the hatred between Elves and men burned bright. Had our people known of your birth, you would not have lived past your first breath.”

Pain flickers across his ageless features. “I took you to the Raven Witches and they cast a spell on you… a glamouring… suppressing your magical abilities and hiding your natural features. The Fire Rite ceremony broke that spell. ”

King Varitan’s expression softens as he continues. “Despite the ban against our union, our love was meant to be. Your mother and I were destined to meet, destined to fall in love, and destined to conceive you. The time has come for you to claim your true place in the world, as Princess Rosanhi.” As the King speaks, a heaviness settles in my heart.

The King’s words settle in my mind as a whirlwind of emotions sweep through me. The revelation of my true heritage is overwhelming, but also fills me with a sense of belonging I had never known.

The thought of leaving Meemaw behind tugs at my heart, threatening to dampen the new-found joy within me. “What about Meemaw? I can’t leave her alone in Bahulya, it’s not safe. Especially once the realm finds out about me.”

The image of Meemaw, standing in her kitchen, kneading dough for her honey butter biscuits with her crooked fingers, flashes through my mind. Her kind eyes and warm smile are etched into my memory, and the thought of leaving Meemaw behind was like pulling apart two velvety petals from the same flower, a separation that would create a permanent void in my heart.

The King answers invitingly, “Should your grandmother desire to accompany you, she will be greeted with open arms at the palace.”

I nod, my gratitude mingling with confusion. “Thank you… Your Majesty,” I falter, the words feeling strange. Should I call him that, or… ‘Father’ ?

“We will send word to her immediately, assuring her of your safety,” he says in a voice filled with warmth and reassurance.

Suddenly, the same steward boy who had delivered the King’s message yesterday morning, rushes in brimming with anticipation, his brown cloak billowing behind him like the wings of a majestic bird. He reaches the King, taking a quick bow of respect before leaning down to whisper into his ear. King Varitan’s eyes widen as he listens to the secrets he is told. Theo and I take a curious glance at one another.

“This can’t be good.” He speaks softly into my mind.

The King pats the boy on the back before dismissing him.

“It seems Your Grace has other pressing matters to attend to. We will take our leave,” I say, standing up from my chair.

“Rosanhi...” King Varitan says, pausing as his gaze falls to the floor. “It’s about Mikyl.” I stare back at him with a blank expression. So much has happened in the past few days that I haven’t had a spare moment to even contemplate Mikyl’s well-being.”

“What about Mikyl?”

“It seems… his transport carriage to Malon Prison has been found. The guards responsible for him are dead.” The King says, his eyes meeting mine with a steady gaze. “And Mikyl is missing.”