Chapter 16: Ties That Bind

Two days had passed since Ember stumbled upon the clearing where the regal woman stood. The ache in her body had only worsened, and the weight of her emotions threatened to pull her under. Each step she had taken in the forest left her feeling more drained, more uncertain. But now, seated in the villa offered by the mysterious woman, Ember found herself consumed by the whirlwind of events that led her here.

The woman, who had introduced herself simply as a noble lady, had an air of grace that Ember couldn’t ignore. Her presence was calming, yet unnervingly familiar, and Ember couldn’t shake the feeling that she resembled someone she had seen before. The woman’s blue eyes and striking features reminded Ember of the girl from her visions—the fiery-haired girl with icy blue eyes. And when the woman mentioned her daughter, Ember’s heart had skipped a beat.

“You look very much like my daughter,” the woman had said, her voice kind yet wistful. “She has blue hair and blue eyes—perhaps you two could be sisters.”

The words lingered in Ember’s mind, stirring questions she wasn’t ready to face. She wanted to ask more, to dig deeper, but the pain in her chest kept her silent. And when the woman had asked about her parents, the dam holding back Ember’s emotions had finally broken.

“I’m… an orphan,” Ember had whispered, her voice shaking. Tears streamed down her face, hot and relentless, as the weight of her loneliness crushed her. She had felt so exposed in that moment, so vulnerable, but the woman’s kindness had surprised her.

“I’m so sorry,” the lady had said, placing a gentle hand on Ember’s shoulder. “No child should have to endure such loss.”

Though the woman didn’t say much, she had offered Ember something she hadn’t expected—a chance to rest. “You can stay in one of our small villas,” the lady had said. “It’s quiet and safe, and the servants will ensure you have everything you need.”

Ember had hesitated, unsure whether to trust her. But the promise of shelter and safety was too tempting to ignore. Her exhaustion made the decision for her, and she had followed the servant to the villa, her thoughts swirling.

Now, as Ember sat quietly on the bed, her fingers tracing the edge of the blanket, she couldn’t help but replay the woman’s words. Blue hair and blue eyes… could we really be sisters? The idea felt both impossible and strangely familiar. Her golden-red eyes flickered with the light of the small lamp in the room, her fire surging faintly around her fingertips as her emotions churned. She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. There was too much to make sense of, too much she didn’t understand.

The villa was quiet, save for the soft murmur of voices outside the door. At first, Ember ignored them, her focus lost in her own turmoil. But as the voices grew louder, a few words caught her attention. She froze, her ears straining as she tried to listen.

“…Samantha,” one voice said, low and urgent. “They’ve been beating her every day. She still won’t tell them where Eira is.”

Ember’s breath hitched, her pulse quickening. The name Samantha felt strangely familiar, though she couldn’t remember where she had heard it before. She leaned closer to the door, her heart pounding as she caught more of their conversation.

“They’ve locked her in the dungeon underground,” the second voice replied. “She refuses to say anything, no matter what they do to her.”

Ember’s hands clenched into fists, her flames flickering wildly as anger surged within her. Samantha, she thought, her mind racing. She knows Eira—the girl with the blue hair and blue eyes. She might know who I am.

Her thoughts spiraled as pieces began to click together. Samantha might hold the answers Ember so desperately needed—the truth about her powers, the visions, the connection to Eira. And if Samantha was in the dungeon, Ember knew she couldn’t wait. She had to find her.

Ember stood from the bed, her exhaustion forgotten in the wake of her determination. Her fiery golden eyes burned with resolve as she paced the room, her mind churning with plans. The idea forming in her head was reckless, dangerous, but necessary. Samantha might be her only chance to uncover the truth, and Ember wasn’t going to let her suffer alone.

She reached for her bag, preparing to sneak out of the villa, when the door creaked open. Ember froze, her flames surging faintly as the noblewoman stepped inside. Her regal expression was calm but questioning as she took in Ember’s tense posture.

“Is everything alright?” the woman asked, her voice steady.

Ember hesitated, torn between trust and secrecy. She couldn’t let the woman stop her—not when she was so close to finding answers. “I’m fine,” Ember replied quickly, her voice trembling slightly. “Just tired.”

The woman studied her closely, her gaze piercing but kind. After a moment, she nodded and stepped out, leaving Ember alone once more. As soon as the door closed, Ember grabbed her bag and slipped into the shadows of the villa, her steps quick and silent.

The dungeon was deep beneath the palace grounds, hidden and guarded. Ember didn’t know exactly how to get there, but she had overheard enough to follow the clues. She kept to the dark corners of the estate, her flames dimmed as she crept through the halls. The cold stone walls felt oppressive, the air growing heavier with each step.

But as Ember approached the entrance to the dungeon, she froze. Two guards stood at the iron gate, their expressions stern and unyielding. Ember ducked behind a pillar, her heart racing. She couldn’t fight them—not like this. Her fire was too unstable, and the risk of drawing attention was too great. She would have to find another way.

The voices from the dungeon echoed faintly, carrying the sounds of torment. Ember’s chest tightened as she heard a cry of pain—Samantha’s voice. The sound stirred something fierce within her, and her flames surged brighter despite her efforts to control them. I have to get to her, Ember thought desperately. I can’t leave her like this.

As she crouched in the shadows, the guards shifted slightly, their backs momentarily turned. Ember’s pulse quickened as an idea took shape. She had to act now—but the risk was higher than anything she had faced before.

And then, just as Ember prepared to move, the iron gate creaked open. The guards stepped aside as a new figure emerged, their presence chilling the air. Ember’s breath caught as she recognized the man—King Alex.