The night Vaelis turned nineteen, a storm brewed above the palace. The sky was gray and heavy, the wind rattling the stones of the towers. Inside, as always, the palace remained silent.
That night, everything was about to change for Vaelis.
She sat in her room, sleepless, her back resting against the window as she watched the torches flicker below. Her brother's words echoed in her mind.
"You're just a shadow."
"The curse dragging us toward ruin."
Her fingers clenched involuntarily. Something stirred within her, something even she feared. A rage… but it wasn't just rage. It was the silent scream of years buried deep within her.
As her soul twisted with sorrow, her palms began to warm.
At first, it was just a slight tingling. Then the heat grew—hotter and hotter… When she looked at her hands, flames were rising from her palms.
Vaelis froze. Trapped between fear and awe.
As she noticed the unique beauty of the fire, she forgot whether it hurt. The flames flowed between her fingers, dancing, shaped by the wind, mesmerizing her.
Lost in the vision, she lost control.
The fire burst outward, licking the air and scorching her skin. Vaelis screamed in pain—but no one heard.
It was unbearable. A searing pain like a thousand blades piercing her palms, taking her breath away. She tried to rub her hands against her dress, desperately—but the fire wouldn't die. The room pulsed in the red glow of the flames.
And then, the door opened.
A shadow appeared in the doorway.
Vaelis flinched, still burning. The smell of scorched skin filled the room. Her eyes locked on the figure.
It was Leoric.
There was something between hatred and pleasure in his gaze.
• FROM VAELIS'S POINT OF VIEW •
Leoric stood in the doorway, his slender brows arched, that familiar condescending smirk resting on his lips.
I looked at him—then back at my hands. The flames were gone. All that remained were my burned hands.
The skin was cracked, deep red lines splitting across my palms.
They throbbed even with each breath, but I fought to show no reaction.
I wouldn't let him enjoy it. Then, Leoric spoke again, dripping with contempt.
"So the curse has finally awakened, Vaelis."
His voice cut through me like a blade. I knew if I stayed silent, it would only continue. But not this time.
I wouldn't be silent again.
"And? What concern is that of yours?"
My words escaped like a quiet smoke, and only then did I realize—
My voice no longer trembled.
And it sounded fiercer than I expected.
Leoric frowned.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
He didn't know how to respond.
He straightened, took a few steps toward me, and fixed that same arrogant stare into my eyes.
"No one ever trusted you. You know that, don't you?
From the moment you were born, everyone watched you with fear.
And now they have proof.
They've created a monster."
That word echoed inside me. Monster.
Once, I would've stayed quiet.
Once, I might have believed it.
But the burns on my hands, the pain, the fire rising within me…
They were mine.
They were a part of me.
I straightened, locking eyes with him.
"And do you know why you try so hard to belittle me at every chance?
Don't bother answering—I'll tell you.
Because you are the one who fears me the most."
This time, the silence lasted longer.
For the first time, I saw hesitation in his eyes.
Tonight, I didn't yield to him.
Tonight, he took a step back.
And he quietly left the room.
I turned my gaze to the sky—then to my hands.
This power inside me…
I could feel it—it was only the beginning.
And even though it terrified me…
I was no longer powerless.