Embers In The Snow

The Firs

es Amidst Na

Beneath

ne dared to tread, a place forbidden to both kingdoms, rumored to be home to ancient forces that neither fire nor ice could tame. Yet, here Lira found

in this dim light that Lira's breath froze in the air, the mist intermingling with the cold that radiated from her. Every step she t

the hush of the forest. And yet, a strange pull in her

Flickers of warmth emanated from his hands, illuminating the darkened woods with a soft, orange glow. He, too, felt an

him. It was unlike the fiery, dry lands of Pyrovale, and he found it od

aring at the same time-opposite sides, yet drawn to

ok in the sight of Kaden, his fiery aura casting a warm glow against the night. He was rugged yet gr

eil. She was unlike anyone he had ever seen, an embodiment of the mystery and beauty of ice itself. Her pale s

ween them until Lira, una

rom Pyrovale

you're Frostveil royalty, aren't you?" His voice was rough

eard of Pyrovale's warriors-brutal, relentless, fire-hearted. But

asked, trying to mask

. "I don't know. Something... called me he

d, she looked up at the sky, where stars twinkled faintly through the gaps in the canopy. The silen

around them balanced in an unfamiliar, harmonious way-his warmth melding wi

t a tentative hand, palm upturned toward

she finished for him, surprising he

yes never leavin

eached out, her cold fingers brushing against his warm palm. Their hands fit together perfectly, like opposing f

he began, but w

oice a whisper that seemed

h nature itself had woven an invisible thread between them, a force that defied their kingdoms' hatred. Time seemed

clearing, rustling the trees and filling the air with the scent of wildflowers and

, her mind catching up with her heart. "O

ybe they're wrong, then," he replied, his voice hardening. "Maybe they don'

ces, knew the scars of the past conflicts between their kingdoms. The stories her parents

se memories. Perhaps they didn't have to repe

fierce yet pleading. "Right here, beneath the

run back to the safety of Frostveil. Yet her

sting her lips. "Tomorr

ong. Beneath the stars, they shared stories, dreams, and fears. Lira showed him how she could shape the frost into delicate sculptures, a skill she'd honed since

ira felt her heart racing, aware of how close he was. She turned her head, finding him already

ed, his voice b

ng ice-an explosion of warmth and chill that left them both breathless. In that kiss, they f

times, held secrets. And soon, those

stinctively, he pulled Lira behind a tree, peering around to see what it was. Soldiers-Pyrov

here," Kaden mutter

y know about us?" she whisp

"I don't think so. B

ng deeper into the forest, where the shadows were thick and the air grew colder. Finally, when they were sur

oice trembling. "Our kingdoms will find out.

but Kaden understood. He reached

firm. "Let's show them that we're strong

a shadow cast by centuries of rivalry and hate. And as they sat beneath the stars, holding