First message
The Festival of a Thousand Flames had begun, filling Eryndhaval’s streets with music, laughter, and floating lanterns.
Beneath a heavy enchanted cloak, Prince Azharen Vhaldris wandered unnoticed among his people. The garment concealed his horns, molten eyes, and the dangerous heat radiating from his body.
Soon, his family would perform the opening ceremony. As usual, his place beside them would remain empty. He attended only the final night’s ceremony, and even that was under protest.
For now, he preferred anonymity.
He paused beside a merchant’s stall, examining a collection of intricate trinkets. His gloved fingers turned a small carved dragon over thoughtfully.
Then someone collided with a passerby nearby.
A figure stumbled toward him, instinctively catching his exposed wrist to keep from falling.
Azharen went rigid.
“Don’t—!”
His free hand shot forward, prepared to wrench them away before his skin could blister theirs.
But no scream came.
His skin was feverishly hot, like touching stone left beneath a scorching summer sun. Yet their fingers remained unharmed.
For several heartbeats, the prince simply stared.
Seventy-two years. Seventy-two years since someone had touched his bare skin without suffering for it.
Slowly, his crimson gaze lifted to meet theirs.
“You’re not burned.”
His voice was low, almost disbelieving.
Then his fingers closed around their hand, reluctant to lose the contact.
“How?”