The night after the comet was eerily silent.
Within the grand Ember Palace, everything slowed. Even the wind dared not disturb the newborn swaddled in golden silk, sleeping in her mother's arms. Her breaths were soft, rhythmic, but her presence — unmistakably divine.
Queen Seraphina Aurel, still weak from the birth, sat propped against velvet pillows. Her flame-colored hair was damp against her temples, her eyes never leaving the child cradled close to her heart.
She was beautiful.
Perfect.
Dangerous.
"My daughter," Seraphina whispered, brushing a kiss to her forehead. "You carry the fire of kings and the burden of gods."
The Solar Crest still glowed faintly on the infant's chest, as if pulsing to a secret rhythm only the stars could hear. It shimmered gold and red — the symbol of Aries, yes — but not just that. The ancient flame within her was something more. Something feared.
Amara watched silently from across the chamber, worry etching her brow. "There are eyes everywhere, my Queen. If word reaches the other Thrones—"
"They'll come," Seraphina finished bitterly. "They always do. Anything they can't control, they try to destroy."
The Queen tightened her hold.
"But she is not theirs to control. She is mine."
The room dimmed as the torches bent inward again. Even the fire bowed to her declaration.
Amara stepped forward and gently knelt before the Queen. "Then you must choose her fate tonight. Either keep her by your side and invite war before she can speak… or send her away and let her grow in silence — safe, but hidden."
Seraphina looked down at her child. A name already etched itself into her soul — not just Seraphina II, as the records would claim, but something older. Something burning.
"April," she whispered, her eyes glistening. "Her true name is April. Born under the flame moon, on the first cusp of Aries. She will rise, even if I cannot."
A single tear traced her cheek.
"I'll protect her in silence. Let the world believe she's a forgotten flame. Let them sleep… while she becomes their reckoning."
🌑 Elsewhere…
In the Moon Kingdom's silver chambers, a Seer traced constellations with glowing ink. Her hands trembled.
"The Ember Child lives," she said aloud to no one — and yet the shadows listened.
"She bears the crest… and the prophecy's curse."
The Moon Oracle turned to a glass window, where a violet moon reflected in her eyes.
"Begin preparations. The Zodiac War… has begun."
🔥 Quote Teaser for Chapter Three:
"To be chosen is to be cursed. And to carry fire… is to burn before you".