In the Snowflame Royal Palace, the Flame Heart remained lit deep into the night, with flame lamps flickering softly—like the embers of desire, dying yet unextinguished.
Evelyn sat cross-legged alone in the center of the spirit flame pool, draped in a thin flame-woven robe. The flame pattern on her forehead pulsed erratically. Her fingertips pressed against her lower abdomen, where a flame seal appeared of its own accord, fire snaking along her skin like living things.
She could feel it—a new soul awakening within her.
"Child of soul and flame... You are not part of the prophecy, but a product of the fire burning in my body and will."
Her temperature rose, her heartbeat quickened, and her lower abdomen seemed to hold a tiny burning core, its pulse echoing through every vein.
That night, she could not sleep, nor did she wish to call for anyone.
Because she knew—they were,and she did not want her weakness seen.
But just as she closed her eyes to meditate, the clatter of silver armor sounded outside the flame hall.
Eira burst in, still in unremoved battle gear, her cold gaze falling like snow on Evelyn's bare skin, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.
"You should not bear this alone," Eira said, approaching and removing her armor, her voice softer than the flame light. "This is not a king's loneliness, but a woman's pain."
Evelyn opened her eyes, meeting her gaze: "You've come. To claim paternity, or... to comfort me?"
Eira knelt slowly, pressing her forehead to Evelyn's knee, her palm gliding up Evelyn's heated thigh, her voice a hoarse whisper:
"I've come to offer myself."
Flames ed their skin, flame patterns weaving like spiritual streams. Eira pressed close to Evelyn's abdomen, as if kissing the tiny flame within.
Her fingertips circled the heart of the flame seal, gently drawing forth the restless fire in Evelyn's body, stirring desire inch by inch.
Evelyn gasped, tilting her head back, silver hair scattering like snow in the flame light.
"You are my flame shield," she murmured. "Then let me burn you all night."
Between the flames, two souls collided like stars.After the Flame's Breath · Lucian's JudgmentDawn broke the next day.
When Lucian pushed open the door to the flame hall, the air still carried the lingering scent of desire.
He saw at a glance the traces of their entanglement on the flame bed: Eira sat half-naked on the edge, a faint, cold smirk on her lips.
Evelyn rose, her back to him, a red flame robe slipping off one shoulder, her skin still marked with the flame trails Eira's fingers had drawn.
Lucian approached in silence. Without a word, he pulled the robe closed around her, gathering her fully in his arms.
"Are you warning me?"
His voice was low, brushing her ear.
Evelyn did not struggle, only replied softly: "No. I am making it clear—between us, there is no possession, only burning."
Eira stood, adjusting her armor, casting a cool glance at him:
"If you fear being burned, don't come too close."
She turned and left.
Lucian's gaze burned as he lifted the flame robe, staring at the brightening flame seal on Evelyn's abdomen:
"Is this fire mine?"
Evelyn looked at him, placing a hand over his heart: "Not only yours."
Lucian growled, suddenly pushing her back onto the flame bed. His lips and tongue were hot as blades, plunging into her like fire craving water.
"Then let me brand it with my own flame mark."
Flame light reignited, and the became a inferno of desire once more.The Border of Snow and Fire · Kael's ArrivalBy now, forty miles from the capital's eastern border, the Split Moon descendant—Kael—had stepped into the border of snow and fire.
His robe was ash-colored, and he held bone-flame double blades. Behind him followed seven of flame souls, masked, their steps unsteady yet their faith unshakable.
"The royal flame has conceived," Kael said, gazing at the capital where flame light rose in the distance. "That child of the new god shall be the medium for my arrival."
He sliced open his palm with his right hand, letting his blood seep into cracks in the fiery rock.
In an instant—the earth shook, and a shadow of emerged from the depths of the ground.
A twisted infant's face, its cry like a soul splitting, floated above the earth's fire.
"Child of soul and flame, I have come to meet you."
In that moment, Kael's pupils burned completely away.Awakening of the Flame HeartDeep into the night, Evelyn sat alone before a mirror.
She looked down at the flame core throbbing in her abdomen, a tear sliding from the corner of her eye—not from pain, but from a stir deep in her soul.
"He has awakened."
"He is calling me."
She traced a name with her finger:
"Knox."
It was the soul's voice she'd heard in her dreams—the name the unborn flame child had given itself.
She whispered softly:
"Knox... my son. You shall be the last Flame King of this world."
And the moment her fingertip touched the flame seal, every flame lamp in the capital erupted into blaze simultaneously.