Everyone was still waiting for the fire to light, but the pit remained dark.
Then they all swelled like a storm tide, hushed voices giving way to accusations, eyes turning one by one toward Ashen. He also understood that look he knew what would be coming next.
"It must be because of his appearance." one of the men in the midst of the crowd let out.
"The fire used to bless us every year!" another shouted. "But look at it now! Cold! The dragons refuse to answer."
"It is the cursed prince," someone else said, louder this time, and that single phrase seemed to ignite the rest of the crowd.
"Cursed prince!"
"Bad omen!"
"Send him away before we bring ruin upon us all!"
Ashen stood still, his silver hair glinting faintly in the moonlight. Every word coming from the people hurts him like hell.
Lumina, who was standing beside himmight not have seen the gazes if the people pointing fingers at her husband, but the way the voices rose, told her everything.
