That night, Kael dreamed.
Of a woman standing in fire, unburned.
Of golden chains snapping.
Of a dragon kneeling not in defeat, but devotion.
He woke with a sharp breath.
Across the room, I stirred, sensing his unrest.
"What did you see?" I asked quietly.
He hesitated.
"You," he said. "At the heart of the curse."
My pulse quickened. "And?"
"And the world burning around us."
Silence settled.
I met his gaze, steady despite the fear clawing at me.
"Then we'll change the ending."
Outside, thunder roared.
And deep beneath the palace, the dragons stirred
finally aware of their queen.