The cold air of Winterbell no longer bit at Flynn's skin. He was used to it now its sharpness, its honesty. Unlike the court.
Inside the royal chambers, tension crackled like the frost outside. The high council had summoned him for another "advisory" session. They were smiling again those polite, measured smiles that meant trouble. Flynn had seen enough of them in both lives.
Lucian stood beside him, tall and regal, his silver-tinged armor polished and proud. Though they shared blood, they shared even more silence. Flynn could see the war in Lucian's eyes loyalty to the crown, but uncertainty toward the man who wore it now.
And then there was Khalid.
Duke Khalid.
Kneeling before the crown with reverence, yet never bowing to Flynn.
Their last conversation still burned in Flynn's chest. He hadn't spoken to Khalid since, but his presence filled every room they were both in like smoke without fire. The nobles had noticed. So had Elior.
Viscount Elior had stopped pretending.
He no longer hid the way he looked at Flynn not the stolen glances, nor the lingering touch on Flynn's glove as they passed each other scrolls. But neither had he confessed, and Flynn didn't ask. He couldn't not yet.
"Your Majesty," one of the elder lords was saying, "the threat from the Ember Hand grows by the day. Your alliance with Duke Khalid must stand unshaken. Unity is our strongest weapon."
Flynn's fingers tightened on the arm of the throne.
"Unity built on secrets is a crumbling sword," he replied coldly. "And I will not wield a broken blade."
Lucian's gaze flicked to him, startled. Elior, standing near the eastern arch, looked quietly proud.
Khalid said nothing.
Later that night, the storm came.
Not from the skies, but from the south a burst of black fire lit the horizon in unnatural hue. The Ember Hand had moved.
And with it, a shadow that whispered of treachery, of magic long buried, and a prince who had died twice already.
Flynn stood on the balcony, watching the flames dance in the distance.
Behind him, a voice murmured, "You won't be able to fight it alone."
He turned. Elior stood there, his expression fierce.
Flynn didn't answer. Because he already knew that.
And yet, the person he needed… was the very one he couldn't trust.