C45 THE INTERNAL FLAME

The castle was silent - too quiet.

The fires that formerly raged through the huge hall now burned gently, murmuring instead of crackling. Outside, dawn broke across the valley, coloring the sky in pink and amber. But inside, the air hung heavy, full with the fragrance of burnt incense and anxiety.

Elara’s eyes fluttered open to the faint touch of sunlight on her skin. For a while