I left the Flame Hall in silence.
Kaelith didn't say anything else after that strange moment — the one where he claimed the flames reacted to me. Maybe he was just teasing me. Or testing me. Either way, I didn't look back.
I wandered down the main corridor, unsure where I was going, until I stepped into a quiet courtyard. It was open to the burning-red sky above, with dark flowers blooming under floating lanterns. The silence here was different — peaceful, not heavy.
That's when I felt someone watching me.
"I thought I'd find you here," a voice said, smooth and playful.
I turned quickly.
A young woman stood near the garden wall, leaning against a pillar like she'd been there all along. She had long, silver hair and short horns that curved like polished bone. Her eyes were crimson, like Kaelith's — but softer, curious.
She smiled.
"I'm Lira. Kaelith's sister."
"Oh," I said, straightening. "Nice to meet you."
"You're calmer than I expected," she said as she walked toward me. "Most humans faint the moment they arrive. You just wander around the palace like you belong."
I shrugged. "Would fainting help?"
She laughed, then sat on the edge of the stone bench. "You're interesting. That's good. My brother doesn't tolerate boring people."
I didn't know what to say to that. Lira seemed easygoing, but I could feel something sharp behind her smile — like she was testing me.
"Is he always like this?" I asked. "Cold, quiet, intimidating?"
"Mm," she hummed. "That's Kaelith being nice. You should've seen him last month. Burned a noble's cloak clean off just because he looked at him wrong."
I blinked. "Sounds… charming."
She laughed again, then leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "So, do you actually want to marry him?"
I stiffened. "I don't think I have a choice."
"Fair point." Her voice lowered slightly. "Still. Three months is a long time to live in a demon palace. You should know who your enemies are."
"Are you saying I have enemies already?"
She tilted her head. "You're human, you're living in the royal wing, and you're the future bride of the strongest demon ever born. Of course you have enemies."
The air felt colder for a moment, despite the ever-burning torches nearby.
"Thanks for the warning," I said quietly.
Lira stood, brushing imaginary dust from her dress. "You seem smart. That'll help. Just remember—Kaelith may act like nothing affects him, but even he has weak spots."
I raised an eyebrow. "And you're telling me this because…?"
She smiled wide. "Because I like you. And because I want to see what happens when fire meets ice."
And with that, she walked off, her silver braid swaying behind her.
That night, her words echoed in my head.
Three months until the wedding.
A palace full of demons.
And a man who looked like a god and acted like a storm.
What had I stepped into?
And more importantly… would I survive it?