50. Embereign

Rune

The air around Embereign is thick with the smell of charred wood, molten rock, and despair. The once-glorious Kingdom of Fire had been gutted, like a hunter’s prey.

It isn’t the fire of home and hearth, of passion and warmth, but the fire of destruction, of a kingdom on the brink of collapse. It clawed at my senses, but I pushed through as I walked with the men who have become closer to me than any brother.

Nothing matters more than Reyna right now, and by the looks of things, Shae has already begun her manipulation.

When we landed in Frozen Throne two days ago, I caught a whiff of what I thought was Reyna’s scent. But neither Cassian nor Malachi caught it. I was certain it was her, but why would she be in Frozen Throne of all places?

I sigh as we walk ahead, trying to pinpoint where Reyna’s scent could be coming from, but nothing seems to be a clear lead. Fuck, I would do anything to hold her in my arms again, to tell her how much she means to me; to all three of us.

But then