Chapter 17: The Fireborn Twin

Ember pressed herself tightly against the cool stone pillar, her breath shallow as she tried to steady her racing heart. The faint light of the guards’ torches flickered at the dungeon entrance, casting long shadows on the cold walls. She could hear them murmuring, their voices low but unmistakably tense. The sound of iron scraping against stone sent a chill down her spine as the dungeon gate creaked open.

Her golden-red eyes widened in shock as a figure stepped into the light. His imposing presence chilled the air, his movements deliberate yet filled with authority. Ember bit her lip, her flames dimming instinctively as she recognized him.

King Alex.

She remembered seeing him only once before—a distant, intimidating presence at a formal gathering she had attended as a child. Though she didn’t know much about him, his reputation was enough to unnerve her. He carried himself with a chilling sense of purpose, his cold gaze scanning the dungeon with precision.

As Ember crouched in the shadows, her mind spun with questions. Why is he here? What does he want? The faint cries of pain she had heard earlier seemed to echo louder in her mind, pushing her toward action. Samantha, she thought urgently. I need to get to her. She might know who I am—what I am.

“Do not lose focus, little flame,” a voice echoed softly in her mind, warm and steady like the crackle of a fire on a cold night. Ember froze, her breath catching as she heard it again. The voice—the same voice that had guided her before—was back.

“Who are you?” she whispered under her breath, her lips barely moving. Her flames flickered faintly, reacting to the familiar presence. “What do you want?”

The voice didn’t answer her question directly. Instead, it offered calm reassurance. “The path ahead is dangerous, but you are stronger than you realize. Your fire is your guide, your shield. Trust it, as you trust yourself.”

Ember clenched her fists, her flames flaring faintly at the edges of her fingertips. The warmth of the voice stirred something within her—a fragile but growing sense of courage. She couldn’t let her fear paralyze her, not when Samantha’s life depended on her.

King Alex’s cold voice cut through the air, pulling Ember’s attention back to him. “She will talk,” he said flatly to the guards. “She has no choice. Everyone breaks eventually.”

The guards nodded, their expressions grim. One of them hesitated, his voice wavering slightly as he asked, “And if she doesn’t, Your Majesty?”

King Alex’s gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. “Then she will serve as an example to anyone else who dares defy me.”

Ember’s heart twisted with anger and fear as she heard his words. She didn’t know who Samantha was to this man, but the thought of her enduring such cruelty ignited a spark of fury within Ember. Her flames surged slightly brighter, threatening to betray her presence, but she quickly extinguished them, clutching the pillar for support.

“Patience,” the voice murmured, calm yet firm. “Rushing in will only get you caught. Wait for the right moment.”

Ember gritted her teeth, every instinct screaming at her to act. But the voice was right—charging in now would only make things worse. She needed a plan, and she needed to trust the guidance of the mysterious presence that had saved her before.

As King Alex turned to leave, his cold gaze swept across the dungeon entrance one final time. Ember held her breath, her body pressed tightly against the shadows. When the dungeon gate slammed shut behind him, she released a shaky exhale, her mind racing.

The guards resumed their positions, their conversation drifting back into hushed tones. Ember’s fingers twitched with anticipation as she considered her next move. The voice returned, guiding her thoughts. “The flames within you are not just for destruction—they light your way. Use them to find the path forward.”

Ember closed her eyes, focusing on the flickering warmth in her chest. The fire responded to her, glowing softly as though encouraging her forward. She peeked around the pillar, her sharp gaze scanning the area for any openings. A faint glimmer on the ground caught her attention—a small metal key hanging from the belt of one of the guards.

Her pulse quickened as an idea formed in her mind. It was risky, but it was her only chance to reach Samantha. “What do I do?” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

“Create a distraction,” the voice advised. “Your flames are your ally. Trust them.”

Ember hesitated for only a moment before nodding to herself. She extended her hand, allowing the faintest flicker of fire to ignite in her palm. The flame danced softly, warm and inviting, as she guided it toward a pile of straw and wooden crates near the dungeon entrance. With a careful flick of her wrist, the fire leapt to the pile, catching instantly.

The flames roared to life, and the guards sprang into action, shouting as they scrambled to extinguish the fire. In the chaos, Ember slipped from her hiding spot, her movements swift and silent. She crept toward the distracted guard, her eyes locked on the key dangling from his belt.

Her fingers brushed against the metal, her heart pounding as she carefully unhooked it. The guard didn’t notice, too focused on the growing fire. Ember ducked back into the shadows, clutching the key tightly as she moved toward the dungeon gate.

“Good,” the voice murmured, a note of approval in its tone. “You’re learning. Keep going.”

Ember’s hands trembled as she inserted the key into the gate’s lock, the heavy iron groaning as it swung open. She slipped inside, the cold, damp air of the dungeon hitting her like a wave. The faint cries of pain grew louder, guiding her deeper into the darkness.

She stopped abruptly as she reached the final cell. There, slumped against the wall, was a woman with a bruised face and tangled hair—Samantha. Ember’s breath caught as the woman lifted her head weakly, her tired eyes meeting Ember’s.

“Who… who are you?” Samantha rasped, her voice hoarse from days of torture.

Ember’s flames flickered faintly as she stepped closer, her heart aching at the sight of the broken woman. “I’m here to help,” she said quietly, her voice trembling. “I think… I think you might know who I am.”

Samantha’s eyes widened slightly, recognition flashing across her face. “You,” she whispered, her voice filled with equal parts awe and despair. “You’re her… the fireborn twin.”

Ember froze, her mind spinning as the words sank in. “Fireborn twin?” she repeated, her voice barely audible.

Before Samantha could explain, the sound of footsteps echoed through the dungeon. Ember’s flames surged instinctively as the guards returned, their angry shouts cutting through the air. She turned to Samantha, panic rising. “We have to get out of here—now.”