Ashes of the Forbidden Kingdom.

The Reluctant Alliance

POV: King Kieran

The snow fell steadily, blanketing the narrow path through the mountains as Kieran led his horse forward. Elysia rode beside him, her icy demeanour matching the bitter wind that whipped through the cliffs. The silence between them was as thick as the frost coating the ground.

Kieran stole a glance at her, his irritation flaring as he remembered the Oracle's prophecy. The woman beside him was not only his enemy but also an infuriating reminder of the vulnerability he hated to admit. His fire magic simmered beneath his skin, warming him despite the chill, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Elysia's frost was slowly seeping into his bones.

"We should make camp soon," he said, breaking the silence.

Elysia's eyes flicked toward him, sharp and cold. "Are you already growing tired?"

Kieran bit back a retort. He knew she was goading him, and he refused to take the bait. "The sun is setting, and I'm not interested in freezing to death."

She smirked, and he could have sworn he saw a glint of amusement in her gaze. "I assumed a fire king wouldn't mind a bit of cold."

He rolled his eyes. "Trust me, if you wanted to trade your snow for my deserts, I'd be more than happy to oblige."

They reached a small clearing, sheltered from the wind by a rocky overhang, and dismounted. As they began to set up camp, Kieran noticed Elysia keeping her distance, her movements precise and controlled. He sighed, wondering how long it would take before one of them snapped under the tension.

When they had finished, Kieran summoned a small flame to start a fire. The warm glow cast flickering shadows, and he settled down beside it, rubbing his hands together.

Elysia sat on the opposite side of the fire, her expression unreadable. She held out her hands, letting the warmth touch her skin, but she kept her gaze fixed on him.

"Tell me, Kieran," she said suddenly, "why did you agree to this alliance?"

Kieran shrugged, masking the discomfort that question stirred in him. "My kingdom is my priority. I'll do whatever it takes to protect it-even if it means enduring your company."

Elysia's gaze was icy, her voice as sharp as the wind. "So you think yourself noble? Or is this simply a chance to conquer what you haven't already claimed?"

He met her stare, a spark of irritation flaring in his eyes. "Do you really think I'm that simple, Elysia?"

She leaned forward, her expression challenging. "I think you're a man who's never been denied anything he wanted. And now that we're both here, with this prophecy tying us together, I wonder if you're more interested in power than in saving your people."

Kieran felt his anger ignite, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Believe what you want, but I didn't ask for this prophecy any more than you did. I'm here because, like you, I'll do what it takes to protect my kingdom."

She held his gaze for a long moment, then looked away. "Then let's be clear: This is a truce. Nothing more."

"Understood," he replied, his voice hard. But he couldn't shake the sense that she was hiding something behind her icy facade.

As the night wore on, the silence grew heavy again, broken only by the crackling fire. Kieran watched the flames dance, their warmth a familiar comfort, and tried to push away the doubts that crept into his mind. This alliance felt fragile, as if one wrong step could shatter it completely.

Just as he was about to turn in for the night, a rustling sound echoed through the trees. Both he and Elysia were instantly alert, their hands moving to their weapons.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered, her voice tense.

Kieran nodded, his eyes scanning the shadows beyond the firelight. "Stay close."

Out of the darkness emerged three shadowy creatures, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Their bodies were twisted, their limbs elongated, and they moved with a strange, jerking gait.

Kieran stepped forward, his hands igniting with fire. "Stay back," he warned, his voice low and steady.

Elysia stood beside him, her own magic shimmering around her like a frost-laden cloak. "We fight together. Don't get in my way."

He gritted his teeth, but there was no time to argue. As the creatures lunged, he thrust his hands forward, sending a burst of flame toward the nearest one. It shrieked, recoiling from the heat, but its two companions continued forward, unfazed.

Elysia's magic crackled through the air as she raised her hands, summoning a jagged spear of ice. She hurled it at one of the creatures, striking it squarely in the chest. The creature staggered, then dissolved into a dark mist.

Kieran focused on the third creature, channelling his magic into a torrent of fire. The flames wrapped around the creature, burning it away until only ash remained.

As the last of the creatures vanished, Kieran and Elysia stood in the clearing, breathing heavily, their gazes locked.

"Impressive," he said, a reluctant respect in his voice.

Elysia's expression softened, but only for a moment. "I didn't need your help."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Maybe not, but it didn't hurt."

She shot him a glare, but he thought he saw a flicker of grudging acknowledgement in her eyes.

They returned to the fire, settling back into their spots. The silence this time felt different-still tense, but with a hint of something new, something unspoken that neither of them was willing to acknowledge.

Kieran glanced at her, wondering how long they could keep up this fragile alliance. For the first time, he felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could survive this journey together.