Chapter 31: A Brother’s Regret

Callen had been watching her from afar, witnessing her strength grow with each passing week. He concealed himself well, emerging every so often to observe the sister he had betrayed—the sister he missed deeply. Each glance he stole from the shadows filled him with a mix of pride and sorrow. Eira had become a force of nature, her spirit burning brighter than ever, and yet he felt more like a ghost, forever haunted by his past deeds.

He had thought about approaching her, about seeking her forgiveness, but he knew it was impossible. The chasm between them was too great, carved out by his own betrayal. She would never forgive him. The memory of that fateful night replayed in his mind like a broken record—the night he had almost traded Eira for their father’s approval, an approval he no longer cared about. The weight of his shame pressed against his chest like a heavy stone, a constant reminder of the choices he wished he could take back.

Now, his father had asked him to betray her again. The king's madness was an ailment that had spread throughout the castle, a dark cloud looming over their family. His father’s lust for power knew no bounds, and it gnawed at him incessantly. But he would not—could not—repeat his mistakes. If Eira and his lost sister, Ember, were to rise against their father, he would do everything he could to help them, even if it meant standing against his own blood.

His thoughts were pulled back to the training ground, where Eira stood defiantly before Kael. Her focus was unyielding, and as he watched, his breath caught in his throat. He could see the fire and frost swirling within her, a dance of elements that was both mesmerizing and frightening. It was then that he noticed the tears glistening in her eyes, reflecting the dim light like shards of glass. Something twisted in his gut at the sight, a mix of regret and an overwhelming urge to comfort her.

And then, in a moment of pure intensity, fire erupted from her fingertips, illuminating the night. His heart raced as he witnessed Eira unleash her fearsome power, a fiery frost whip ripping toward Kael. The air crackled with energy when it tore into the ground with explosive force, and Kael barely managed to dodge it, rolling to the side as the earth erupted beneath him. Her brother stood frozen, rooted in place as the shock of Eira's strength washed over him.

He had always known Eira was powerful. But this—this was beyond anything he had ever imagined. She could wield both fire and frost now, a combination of abilities he had never thought possible for her. A cold realization settled in his mind like an unwelcome guest at a feast. If he ever crossed Eira again—if he dared stand against her—he would face her wrath. And that was a force he was not sure he could withstand.

Meanwhile, in the confines of King Alex's dimly lit chamber, the air was thick with tension. The king sat behind his grand desk, tapping his fingers impatiently against the polished surface. The flickering fire beside him cast restless shadows against the stone walls, mirroring the anxiety that clawed at his insides. It had been too long—too many delays, too many failures. Eira was still missing, slipping through his fingers like smoke.

He reached for the small silver bell beside him and rang it once, the sound echoing sharply in the silence. Moments later, the heavy doors creaked open, and Callen entered, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable. Alex’s cold gaze settled on him, and he felt a surge of irritation.

"Report," the king ordered, his voice barely masking the growing frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Callen inclined his head, his voice steady despite the tempest around them. “Our search continues, Your Majesty.”

Alex’s grip tightened around the edge of his desk, knuckles whitening. “You have been hunting her for months, and yet you return empty-handed. Do not insult me with vague words. Where is she?” The question dripped with disdain, a challenge that stirred the air between them.

For a fleeting moment, Callen hesitated, masking his thoughts behind a facade of well-trained composure, but the truth weighed heavily on him. “We believe she may have crossed into the Northern Wastes.”

A lie. Eira was nowhere near the Northern Wastes. He had seen her himself—watched her train, watched her fire and frost intertwine in ways no one had ever imagined. And now, he was lying to the king, a treacherous act that sent shivers of dread coursing through him.

Alex narrowed his eyes, studying him carefully as silence stretched like a thin wire between them. “The Northern Wastes?” His voice dripped with skepticism as he leaned forward slightly, punctuating his words with an unsettling calm. “A harsh place for a girl to survive.”

Callen forced himself to nod, even as his stomach roiled. “She is strong, but even strength has its limits.”

The king continued to analyze him, his piercing gaze searching for any hint of doubt or deception. Callen felt the weight of the moment, the precarious balance between loyalty and betrayal hanging above them like a sword. Suddenly, Alex’s demeanor shifted, the flickering shadows casting an ominous glow across his features.

“Continue searching,” he commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

Callen bowed. “Of course.” His heart raced as he turned to leave, exhaling slowly to steady himself. The effort it took to keep the lie hidden felt overwhelming. For now, it would hold, but he couldn’t help but wonder how much longer he could maintain this charade before the truth tore through the carefully constructed facade they both clung to.

As Callen stepped back into the corridor, a sense of foreboding lingered in the air. Sensing something amiss, King Alex couldn't shake the suspicion that Callen was hiding information. Just as the heavy doors closed behind Callen, he gestured to two of his most trusted soldiers, their faces blank yet attentive.

“Follow Callen and keep close,” he ordered, his voice low and authoritative. “I want to know where he goes and who he meets. There’s something he’s not telling me.”

The soldiers nodded, their expressions resolute, and moved swiftly to obey. They shadowed Callen through the winding corridors of the castle, their movements silent as they steered clear of the watchful eyes of the court.

Meanwhile, back at the training grounds, Eira felt the fire coursing through her veins, a powerful anthem of strength and defiance. She had trained tirelessly to harness her abilities, to learn control, but the emotions behind her outburst had fueled her flames. She could taste the bitterness of her brother’s betrayal, the echo of lost trust clawing at her heart. Yet, amidst the anger and sorrow, was a burning desire for freedom—not just from their father’s oppressive rule, but from the chains of her past.

As she steadied her breath, the flicker of lights in the distance caught her attention; the glow was unusual. Eira recognized it was the castle, where her brother once dwelled. The realization struck her cold; she knew he was connected to the threats encroaching on their safety.

As the night deepened and stars flickered overhead, the dichotomy of their fates intertwined—a brother haunted by guilt and a sister forging her path to freedom, both staring into the abyss of the future, uncertain of what awaited them. Each held the weight of their own burdens, and while darkness loomed overhead, the spark of rebellion began to ignite—a flicker of hope amidst despair. The struggle was far from over, but both would soon discover the true extent of their powers, and perhaps, the path to redemption would cross, even in the most treacherous of circumstances.