The days grew shorter, and the air in the palace grew thick with tension. Amina could feel the weight of every passing moment pressing down on her, the anxiety building as the day of her wedding drew closer. But it wasn't just the marriage that had her on edge. It was the growing unrest in both kingdoms, whispers of rebellion spreading like wildfire.
Her powers, which she had hoped to control in time, had only grown stronger—and more unpredictable. Every time she closed her eyes, she could feel the flame burning beneath her skin, pulsing with a force that seemed to grow in intensity. She could no longer ignore it. No longer hide it.
That afternoon, Amina stood before the grand mirror in her chambers, staring at her reflection. Her red gown shimmered in the light, the intricate embroidery catching the sun's rays, but it was her eyes that held her attention. They were darker now, clouded with the weight of her thoughts.
A knock at the door broke her from her trance.
"Amina?" Aric's voice called softly through the door. "Are you in there?"
Amina turned toward the door, her heart fluttering in her chest. She had seen Aric more often lately, their interactions growing more intimate as they prepared for their union. Yet the tension between them remained palpable, a thin thread that neither dared to break.
"Yes, come in," she replied, her voice calm but strained.
The door opened, and Aric stepped inside, his presence filling the room. His eyes softened when they met hers, but there was no mistaking the seriousness in his expression. He had been in the council meeting that morning, discussing the unrest in the kingdoms. Amina knew the weight of his thoughts was the same as hers—how long could they keep their marriage together before the pressure became too much?
"Amina," he said, his voice low, "we need to talk."
She nodded, her breath catching slightly. "About what?"
"The rebellion," Aric began, his gaze never leaving hers. "The factions. They've grown more bold. And I'm afraid they're planning something bigger—something dangerous."
Amina felt a knot tighten in her stomach. The whispers had only intensified in the past few days. She had overheard courtiers discussing the possibility of an uprising, some even calling for the dissolution of the engagement. The stakes were higher than ever.
"Do you think it's truly dangerous?" Amina asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Aric nodded, his expression grave. "Yes. It's not just about the marriage anymore. It's about control. Control of the flame. Your flame."
Amina's heart skipped a beat. She had feared this moment. The moment when everyone would see the true power of what she carried inside her. The moment when they would realize that her magic was not just a blessing—it was a weapon.
"I know they're after it," she said softly, her voice tinged with both fear and determination. "And I don't know how to stop them."
Aric stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently grasp hers. The warmth of his touch was a stark contrast to the cold anxiety that gripped her. "We'll face it together, Amina. Whatever comes, we'll face it as one."
Amina closed her eyes, allowing herself to lean into the moment. For the first time in days, she felt a sense of calm—if only for a fleeting second. But the calm was short-lived, replaced by a sudden, sharp heat that rushed through her body. The flame stirred, growing in intensity, as though it had been waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.
Amina gasped, pulling her hand away from Aric's as the warmth surged through her. She could feel it building in her chest, the fire flickering and pulsing with a force she couldn't control.
"Amina?" Aric's voice was filled with concern as he stepped back, his eyes wide. "What's happening?"
The flame rose within her like an uncontrollable tide, her skin radiating with an inner heat. Her vision blurred as the room around her seemed to distort in the flickering light. She could hear her heartbeat, thundering in her ears, and feel the power of the flame coursing through her veins.
"I can't—" she gasped, her voice trembling. "I can't control it."
Aric's expression was filled with a mix of fear and determination as he reached out to her. "Amina, listen to me. You need to focus. Don't let it overwhelm you."
But Amina couldn't focus. The flame had a mind of its own, and it was growing stronger by the second. Her body felt as though it might burst into flames, the power within her too much to bear.
"Amina!" Aric shouted, his voice frantic now. "You have to fight it! You have to control it!"
She tried—she really did—but the fire was too much. Her hands began to glow with a fiery light, the heat rising higher, threatening to consume everything in its path. She could hear Aric's voice calling her name, but it felt distant, as though she were underwater.
And then, as if sensing the danger, the flame surged upward, exploding from her hands in a burst of light.
"Amina!" Aric's voice cut through the chaos, and suddenly, she felt his arms around her, pulling her into the safety of his embrace.
The heat began to subside, the fire dissipating into nothingness. Amina gasped for air, her body trembling in his arms. The room was silent, save for the soft sound of her breathing.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice broken. "I couldn't—"
"You didn't do anything wrong," Aric interrupted, his voice steady but filled with concern. "We'll figure this out. But we need to act fast. The rebellion—it's not just coming for your flame. It's coming for you."
Amina nodded, her mind swirling with the weight of his words. The flame inside her had been more than she could handle. And now, the rebellion had its eyes on her.
She wasn't just a pawn in a political game. She was the prize.
And she had to decide whether she could control the power inside her—or if it would destroy everything she held dear.