Bound by the flame (The burned gift)

In a world where magic flows through the unseen Nexus, children are born with extraordinary gifts-or unbearable burdens. When Serenya Duskwood's power awakens, it threatens to tear her apart. Her magic burns instead of blooms, overwhelming her fragile body with intense pain. On the day of her Naming Ceremony, the crystal glows dark and foreboding, sending her to the dreaded Ashen Institute, a place where those who can't control their powers are condemned to suffer.

But Serenya's mother, Elara, will stop at nothing to save her, even if it means defying the very fabric of magic itself. As Serenya's bond with the Nexus grows ever stronger, Elara must find a way to sever its grip without destroying her daughter's soul. But with the Council watching, and the Institute's dark secrets closing in, Elara must decide how far she's willing to go to save the one she loves.