The air inside the Pyranthos palace had shifted. What was once filled with laughter, burning torches, and fiery court debates now simmered with unspoken questions and secret glances. Mira, Princess of Fire and heir to the Pyranthos dynasty, found herself caught in the rising storm of politics and passion.
It began with a whisper. A captured infiltrator—one who bore markings not of any known kingdom, but something darker—had been found roaming the outskirts of the fire palace, dangerously close to the sacred pyres. The guards were sworn to secrecy, but secrets had a way of slipping through palace walls, especially with spies already tangled among marble pillars.
Mira paced her private chamber, crimson robes trailing like flames behind her. The obsidian walls flickered from the hearthlight as she murmured to herself. "This isn't just about the alliance. Someone wants to break it before it begins."
There was a knock. Kaelin, her cousin and the Pyranthos battle strategist, stepped in with a grim expression. His sandy hair was tied back, and a new scar marked his cheek—a reminder from the border skirmishes last week.
"They've questioned him. Nothing. He won't speak our tongue."
"Not even elemental sigils?" Mira asked.
"None that match any known order. But he muttered something under his breath—sounded like a mix of the old lunar dialect and broken Infernal. I've sent scrolls to the Arcanum Library."
Mira leaned against her mirror, eyes narrowed. "Tell no one else. Not even the suitors. Especially not them."
Kaelin raised a brow. "Even Jaxon? He's half convinced it's the Water Courts sending a warning."
"Jaxon thinks everything is about proving he's better than Kieran," Mira replied dryly. She glanced at the crystal vial on her table—a gift from Prince Arden of the Cloud Realms. It pulsed faintly. "And Arden thinks everything's a cosmic joke."
Outside in the court gardens, laughter rang. Mira moved to the window and frowned. The suitors had gathered. Jaxon, princely in navy silk and arrogance, practiced a sword form while Kieran, lord of Earth and stone, leaned back on a bench with a book in hand. Arden floated above them slightly, wind twirling through his silver hair as he strummed a lyren.
And then there was Nyx.
Silent, always cloaked in shadow. The Moon Prince didn't laugh, didn't sing. But Mira could feel his gaze on her even through the thickest veil of night.
That evening, Mira called a formal court meeting, pretending to discuss alliance logistics. The Great Hall burned bright with dragonfire sconces, reflecting red off every surface. Her suitors were all seated along the council dais—the perfect place to watch each other.
"We have a situation," Mira began. "A threat to our alliance. I won't name names, but someone breached the inner wards."
Tension snapped in the air like a whip.
Kieran's voice rumbled first. "Are you accusing one of us?"
Mira smiled tightly. "No. But I am reminding everyone that unity is fragile. And secrets, however small, can unravel empires."
Arden clapped slowly. "Well said, Your Highness. Shall we toast to the betrayal we haven't yet committed?"
Jaxon scoffed. "That's rich coming from someone whose air mages have been caught eavesdropping twice."
"Better that than dousing flames with sea salt, fish prince."
Before Mira could interject, a loud crack echoed through the chamber.
All turned. Nyx had slammed his silver goblet down.
"Enough," he said. "The enemy is not among us. Not yet. But if we keep playing games, they will be."
Mira met his gaze. For a moment, the hall quieted.
Later that night, as the firelights dimmed, she walked the palace halls alone. Her thoughts churned like molten rock. Kaelin's earlier words echoed in her head.
Then she saw the prisoner.
He was chained in the dungeons below, head bowed. But as she neared, he looked up—and his eyes were burning silver.
Not fire. Not moon. Not even elemental.
Something older.
He spoke just one word.
"Valeria."
Mira froze.
That was the name only known in her dreams. The name that returned in flashes of war, of a flaming crown and oceans weeping.
Her hands trembled. She turned and fled. But in the shadows, Nyx watched.
He whispered to himself, "So it begins."