The Shattered Crown BOOK 1: CROWN OF ASH AND GOLD

Chapter 2: The Black Cloaked man

When I finally opened my eyes, the familiar scent of hay and the soft nickers of the horses told me I was still in the stables. But I looked beneath me only to find that the floor had turned into ice.

I struggled to sit up as I was slipping and sliding, only to eventually feel a weight on my wrists. Cold iron cuffs shackled my arms together, and panic coursed through me.

"Awake at last."

The voice was smooth, deep, and unfamiliar. My gaze darted toward the figure leaning casually against the stable door. It was him—the man in the black cloak. Only now, I could see him clearly. The cloak hung loosely from his broad shoulders, revealing armor underneath, sleek and intricately designed. His pitch black hair shimmered faintly in the dim light, and his sharp blue eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Who are you? What do you want with me?" I demanded, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound defiant.

The man smirked, taking a step closer. "You really don't know, do you?"

"Know what?" I snapped, pulling at the shackles. "Why don't you try explaining instead of lurking around like some creep?"

He crouched to my level, his piercing gaze boring into mine. "You're Ember, the last living hybrid. A rare breed—half-witch, half-fae. The lost princess of the witches 'The flame Heir'. And my father, the King of the Fae, has been searching for you for years."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Half-witch? Half-fae? I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "You've got the wrong person. I'm just Lola. Just a farm girl who—"

"Stop lying to yourself." His voice was firm but eerily calm. "I felt it. Last night, the witches felt it too. Your magic stirred, even now why are you denying it how do you think the floor suddenly turned into ice?" I looked down at the floor once more feeling puzzled.
"It's just winter?" I said nervously.

"Ember, it's not even winter yet it's mid August." He said sighing.

"My name isn't Ember, it's Lola." I replied.

"No your name is Ember, you are the lost Heiress."

"No it's Lola." I said firmly.

"No it's Ember, I'm sure of it. He said locking his deep blue eyes with me.

"Lola."

"It Ember."

"No Lola."

"Ember."

"Lola".

"Ember!" He said frustrated.

"Look we don't have time before the other witches come after you my cloaking elixir will wear off soon. You are why I'm here. They will be here any minute."

I froze. For some reason I had a flash from the dream, the unease, the flashes of red—they couldn't be connected to this. Could they? "Even if I am... what you say I am... why am I in handcuffs and why would your father care?"

Kael straightened, crossing his arms. "The king has plans—plans to rule both realms. But the witches won't surrender their power unless he forces their hand. And you, Ember, are the perfect leverage."

"Leverage?" My voice cracked.

"You're going to be his bargaining chip," he said coldly. "But don't worry. You'll live—if the witches play their part."

Anger flared within me, burning hotter than the fear. "You're just going to hand me over to him? Like some... gift?"

Kael's jaw tightened, and for the first time, his confidence wavered. He avoided my gaze, his expression hardening. "I have my reasons," he muttered, turning away.

"Your reasons? You're pathetic," I spat. "Doing your father's bidding just to earn his approval. You're nothing more than his lapdog."

Kael's head snapped back toward me, his eyes blazing. For a moment, I thought he might strike me, but instead, he let out a cold laugh.

"Think what you want," he said, his tone laced with venom. "But the more you fight this, the worse it'll be for you. Cooperate, and you might just survive."

I clenched my fists, my anger boiling over. I wasn't going to let him—or anyone—decide my fate. Not without a fight.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"To the fae court," he replied simply. "It's time for you to meet your king."

Kael reached for the chains binding my wrists, and as his hand brushed the cold metal, a surge of heat coursed through my body. The cuffs glowed red-hot, and with a deafening crack, they shattered.

Kael stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock. "What the—?"

I didn't wait for him to recover. Adrenaline surged through me as I bolted for the stable door, my feet slipping on the icy ground. I didn't know where I was going—only that I had to get away.

"Stop!" Kael's voice rang out, but I didn't look back.

The forest loomed ahead, dark and uninviting. But it was my only chance. My heart pounded as I plunged into the shadows, the cold air biting at my skin.

Behind me, Kael's footsteps thundered like a predator chasing its prey.

"Ember!" he called, his voice closer than I'd hoped. "You can't run forever!"

"It's Lola." I shouted before heading towards the forest.

But I wasn't planning to run forever. I was planning to fight.