Updated Nov 6, 2025 • ~9 min read
Marcus survived the interrogation.
Barely.
Phoenix healed him in secret, using magic to close wounds that would’ve killed a mortal. But Marcus was fae-touched now—the trauma had triggered a latent transformation, something the healers said was rare but possible.
“He’ll live,” Phoenix reported to the emergency gathering in the archives. “But Inferno knows someone’s interfering with his mortals. He’s increasing security across the palace.”
“How much does he know?” Blaze asked, his voice tight with guilt.
“Only that mortals are disappearing and being replaced. He doesn’t know who’s responsible. Marcus didn’t break under torture—he’s stronger than anyone expected.”
Relief flooded through Ember. “Can we get him out of the palace?”
“Already done. He’s in the mortal realm recovering.”
“We need to accelerate our timeline,” Lady Kindle said. “If Inferno’s investigating, it’s only a matter of time before he connects the dots.”
“Agreed,” Blaze said. “The summit is in two weeks. We approach Queen Nyx then. If she agrees to help, we move forward immediately. If not…” He trailed off.
“If not, we fight anyway,” Ember finished. “We’ve come too far to stop now.”
The others nodded, grim determination on their faces.
Over the next two weeks, they prepared. Gathered evidence of mortal value, documented transformation cases, built arguments that would sway even the most traditional fae.
Ember trained relentlessly with her fire magic, pushing herself to master control. She’d need to look powerful and competent when they met Nyx.
And through it all, King Inferno watched.
He attended every training session, every court dinner, every public appearance. His eyes followed Blaze and Ember constantly, searching for weakness.
“He’s waiting for us to slip,” Blaze said one night as they lay in bed. “Looking for proof we’re involved.”
“Then we don’t slip.” Ember traced patterns on his chest. “We’re careful. Smart. Patient.”
“I’m tired of being patient.”
“I know. So am I.” She pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “But two more weeks. Then we make our move.”
“And if Nyx refuses to help?”
“Then we make allies elsewhere. Spring Court, maybe. Or even Winter.”
Blaze laughed bitterly. “Kestrel would never—”
“Not Kestrel. Her mother. Queen Glaciel.” Ember had been thinking about this. “What if Glaciel doesn’t actually support the mortal trade? What if she’s just going along with tradition?”
“That’s a big assumption.”
“Worth exploring, though.” Ember sat up. “We need to stop seeing the courts as monoliths. They’re made of individuals. Some cruel, yes. But maybe some who’d choose differently if given the chance.”
Through the bond, she felt Blaze considering it. “You’re right. We’ve been so focused on Queen Nyx, we haven’t thought about other potential allies.”
“So let’s think about them now. Make a list. Prioritize.”
They spent the night strategizing, and by dawn, they had a plan.
Queen Nyx was first priority—her history made her the most likely ally.
But if she refused, they had backups. Fae nobles from Spring Court who’d expressed discomfort with mortal suffering. A Shadow Court lord who’d once spoken against the trade before being silenced.
Even a few Winter Court fae who’d quietly purchased mortals and never been seen using them—possible closet-freers like Blaze used to be.
“This could actually work,” Ember said as sunlight started filtering through the windows. “If we approach it right, if we’re strategic—we could build a real coalition.”
“Or we could expose ourselves to multiple courts and be executed four times over.”
“Always so optimistic.”
“Realistic,” Blaze corrected, pulling her close. “But for you, I’ll try to be hopeful.”
“That’s all I ask.”
The summit began with traditional fanfare.
All four courts gathered in the Fire Court palace, bringing their entourages and power plays. The throne room glittered with fae nobility, each one beautiful and dangerous in equal measure.
Ember stood beside Blaze, wearing a gown of deep crimson that Lark had helped her choose. She’d learned to carry herself like fae royalty over the past weeks—head high, expression controlled, power barely leashed.
She looked the part of a Fire Court princess.
Now she just had to act it.
Queen Nyx entered last, and the temperature dropped.
She was exactly as Ember remembered from the previous summit—tall and ethereal, with shadows that clung to her like living things. But up close, Ember could see the sadness in her ancient eyes.
This was a queen who’d lost everything. Who’d watched her parents die for love.
Would she be willing to fight for that love’s ideals?
There was only one way to find out.
During a break in the proceedings, Blaze approached Nyx’s entourage with Ember at his side.
“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing. “Might I request a private word?”
Nyx’s expression was unreadable. “Regarding?”
“A matter of historical importance. And personal relevance.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Speak plainly, Prince Blaze.”
“Not here. Too many ears.” He met her gaze steadily. “Please. It’s important.”
For a long moment, Nyx studied him. Then her gaze shifted to Ember, lingering on the flames that flickered unconsciously along her skin.
“Very well. My chambers. One hour.” She swept away, shadows trailing behind her.
Blaze and Ember exchanged glances.
“This is it,” Ember whispered.
“This is it,” he agreed.
One hour later, they stood outside Queen Nyx’s temporary chambers. Phoenix had insisted on coming, standing guard outside while they went in.
“If anything goes wrong—” he started.
“We know,” Blaze said. “Get the others out. Protect the resistance.”
“I was going to say ‘scream loudly so I can burst in and save you.'” Phoenix smiled, but his eyes were worried. “Be careful.”
They entered.
Queen Nyx’s chambers were shrouded in darkness, shadows thick enough to touch. The queen herself sat in a high-backed chair, power radiating from her like cold starlight.
“Sit,” she commanded.
They sat.
“Now explain why I shouldn’t have you both executed for wasting my time.”
Blaze didn’t flinch. “Because we want to finish what your parents started.”
The shadows in the room exploded outward, wrapping around Blaze’s throat, choking.
“You dare speak of my parents?” Nyx’s voice was ice and fury. “You know nothing of them. Nothing of their sacrifice.”
“We know they bonded,” Ember said quickly, fire flaring to push back the shadows. “Fae and mortal. We know they fought to end the mortal trade. We know they came close to winning.”
“And we know they were killed for it,” Blaze gasped out, still fighting the shadows. “By fae who feared change.”
The shadows loosened slightly.
“Why does this matter to you?” Nyx asked.
Ember stood, flames dancing along her skin. “Because we’re bonded too. Fae and mortal—or former mortal. And we’re trying to end the same practice your parents died fighting against.”
Nyx’s expression shifted. Surprise? Interest?
“Show me the bond.”
Ember took Blaze’s hand. The moment they touched, the mate bond blazed to life—visible even to Nyx, a thread of fire connecting them.
“Impossible,” Nyx breathed. “Fae-mortal bonds are forbidden. You should both be dead.”
“The bond transformed me,” Ember explained. “Made me fae. Which means technically we didn’t break the law.”
“Technically.” Nyx released her shadow hold on Blaze completely. “But you’re planning to break other laws. Many of them.”
“Yes,” Blaze said simply. “We’re building a resistance. Freeing mortals. Gathering allies who oppose the trade. We want to present a unified case to the courts—end mortal slavery through legal channels if possible.”
“And if not possible?”
“Then through other means.”
“Revolution.” Nyx leaned back in her chair. “Like my parents attempted.”
“No,” Ember said firmly. “Your parents fought alone. We’re building a coalition. Fire Court allies. Freed mortals. Sympathetic fae from multiple courts. We’re doing it smarter.”
“Smarter.” Nyx laughed, bitter and sharp. “My parents were brilliant strategists. It wasn’t lack of intelligence that killed them. It was lack of support.”
“Which is why we’re asking for yours.” Blaze moved forward, kneeling before the queen. “Your Majesty, you know firsthand what this costs. What loving across impossible boundaries means. Help us change things. So no one else has to watch their parents die for love.”
Silence stretched.
Finally, Nyx spoke: “Tell me your plan. All of it. If I detect a single lie, a single weakness, I’ll turn you both in and watch you burn.”
So they told her. Everything. The freed mortals, the resistance meetings, the evidence they’d gathered. The arguments they’d crafted. The allies they’d identified.
Nyx listened without interrupting, her expression revealing nothing.
When they finished, she was quiet for a long time.
“You’re either very brave or very stupid,” she said finally. “Possibly both.”
“Will you help us?” Ember asked.
“My parents’ rebellion failed because the other courts united against them. Shadow Court stood alone.” Nyx’s eyes were distant, remembering. “If you can truly build a coalition—if you can show that multiple courts support ending the trade—then yes. I’ll add Shadow Court’s voice.”
Hope exploded in Ember’s chest.
“But,” Nyx continued, and the hope dimmed, “I need proof. Real proof. Not just promises of allies. Actual commitments from other courts.”
“We’re working on that—”
“Then work faster.” Nyx stood, shadows swirling. “You have until the summit ends. One week. Bring me proof of support from at least one other court, and Shadow Court will stand with you. Fail, and I’ll deny this conversation ever happened.”
It wasn’t a yes. But it wasn’t a no either.
“Thank you,” Blaze said. “We won’t waste this chance.”
“See that you don’t. My parents died for this dream. I won’t let their sacrifice be repeated unless there’s a real chance of success.”
They were dismissed.
Outside, Phoenix was waiting anxiously. “Well?”
“We have one week,” Ember said, adrenaline singing through her veins. “One week to get another court on our side.”
“That’s impossible—”
“Then we’ll do the impossible.” Blaze’s expression was determined. “We didn’t come this far to give up now.”
They had one week.
One week to change the world.
Or die trying.
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