An Ember's Tale

Chapter Four

Ember was walking through a dark hallway with the sound of her own heels clanking against the stone floor, bouncing off of the wall and back to her own ears. She looked down at the golden dress she wore in a daze. She did like the long, flowing sleeves and how the skirt seemed to shine despite the darkness. The bodice was tight with a more revealing neckline than she would have cared for, but the skirt still flared at her waist and flowed down elegantly. Flowers lined the dress, giving her some semblance of hope while matching the ones on the small, golden crown placed on her long hair that went past her shoulders with golden dust sprinkled onto the ends and her chest.

"Fiammetta."

Ember wasn't sure why, but she found herself turning around to find a guard dressed in white lined with gold. Her eyes swiftly went over to the large spear he held, but his attitude seldom seemed threatening as she turned back to his stoic expression.

"He's here," his voice came out muffled and distant, but she managed to make out most of what he was saying.

"Who?" she asked as her head blurred with who he could be referring to.

The guard's face twisted into confusion as he cleared his throat. "Akull, My Queen."

"A-Akull?"

The Emperor?

"Yes," the guard nodded. "You sent for him specifically. He's traveled a long way-"

"Oh, of course," Ember nodded and forced a smile and tried to hide her own confusion. "I'll go see him right away."

"He's through those doors," the guard pointed in the opposite direction she had been walking.

"Thank you."

Ember walked past the guard but couldn't ignore the fact that he faded into golden dust when she walked away and glanced back briefly. Her steps quickened while the sound of her heels against the stones grew louder and echoed throughout the hallway. She looked out an old window, but the outside seemed distorted, but she could make out it was twilight from the darkness. The only light came from the silver light coming from the windows, and onto the stone floor, she was walking down.

She stopped in front of two large doors that opened as soon as she stepped forward. A loud, creaking sound emerged while she stepped into a large room with nothing but a grand circle table in the center while a silver chandelier illuminated the stone room. She looked over and gasped when she saw a girl who wore the same dress as her. Her hair was the same color and length, while her grey eyes were locked on the man before her. The only thing different was she was taller than Ember with distinct features, but they could have been easily mistaken for twins.

The man had black hair- darker than any night. His piercing blue eyes looked down at the girl wrapped in his arms while a smile appeared on his face and seemed to make the girl smile as well. The moonlight caught them from the large windows on either side of them, and for a moment, they seemed far too perfect for this world. Almost unearthly at their silver glow reflecting off of their skin.

"We don't have much time," the girl told him while she craned her neck to look up at him. "Please, Akull. I need your help."

"Whatever it is, my love," the man ran his fingers through her hair and gave her a comforting smile. "We can figure it out."

"But the balance," her smile disappeared. "We are growing too powerful. You know what I must do."

"Fiammetta," he shook his head. "We are fine. It's been this way for eons."

Silence consumed the room until the girl shook her head. "The North is spreading," she walked out of his arms while his jaw ticked and his gaze narrowed. "I know you're spreading it. Slowly, but I noticed it a while ago. I didn't want to believe you could go behind my back like that... I didn't want to see the greed slowly corrupting your heart. But it is, āryasuta."