Chapter 9 The Guardian's Warning

The Guardian's eyes held centuries of secrets, an unshakable calm that made Amelia's own heartbeat feel too loud in her ears. She stood frozen in the center of the ancient circle, the faint glow of her fire dimming with every heavy breath. Shadows from the towering trees danced across her skin, as if the forest itself leaned in to listen.

"What do you mean by... rebirth?" Her voice came out smaller than she intended soft, but laced with a thread of fear and wonder.

The Guardian stepped forward, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. His movements were deliberate, like every step carried the weight of ages.

"The Fire Queen died in this very grove," he began, his gaze drifting to the scorched earth beneath their feet. "Betrayed. Burned alive by her own mate and her own kin. But fire... never truly dies. It passes through blood, sleeping until it finds a vessel worthy enough to carry it forward."

His dark eyes locked on hers. "You, Amelia... are that vessel. You are her heir."

Amelia's stomach knotted. "I didn't ask for any of this," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not a queen. I'm not a savior. And I'm definitely not some-some chosen flame."

The Guardian's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "No," he said slowly, "but fate rarely waits for permission."

He circled her like a predator assessing prey, his fingers trailing lightly over the ancient, blackened stones that formed the grove's boundary. "The mark on your hand isn't merely magicit's a seal. One the Moon Council has sworn to destroy. You carry the balance of fire and wolf, Amelia. That balance terrifies them."

Her breath caught. "Moon Council?"

"They are the most powerful elders of the clans. Bound to the moon, sworn to preserve their order. They know the prophecy. They know the fire-blooded queen will return, and they fear not just what you might become... but the chaos your existence promises."

Amelia swallowed hard, her heartbeat pounding against her ribs. The mark on her skin tingled like it was listening. "So... what now? Do I run? Hide? Burn them all?"

The Guardian's gaze darkened. "If you run, they will hunt you. If you hide, they will find you. And if you burn them all..." He paused, letting the silence sharpen around them. "...you will become exactly what they fear-a tyrant in flame."

Her throat felt tight, the air heavy with the scent of smoke and old magic. "Then what choice do I have?"

He stopped pacing, standing directly before her. His voice dropped to a near-whisper, yet it carried the force of a command.

"You must choose wisely who you trust. The blood bond with your mate is both your shield and your chain. The clans will not follow you unless the bond is complete. But remember this-once you claim your throne, you will have no way back to the life you knew."

A faint rustle of leaves broke the stillness, as though the forest sighed at the truth spoken.

Amelia's fists clenched. She hated that part of her wanted to run-but another part, deeper and fiercer, burned to fight. "If I'm truly her heir," she said, her voice steadier now, "then maybe it's time the Moon Council learns fire isn't so easy to extinguish."

The Guardian inclined his head, something unreadable in his eyes. "Then prepare yourself, Fire Queen. The game has already begun."