The rebellion began at dawn.
The palace gates shook under magic and steel as noble houses raised banners against the Dragon King and his foreign queen.
"They fear what they don't control," Kael said grimly, standing beside me on the balcony.
"They fear what I am," I replied.
"No," he corrected softly. "They fear what you've awakened."
Below us, flames clashed with spells. Dragons roared from the skies, answering Kael's call.
I stepped forward, power thrumming in my veins.
"For years, this kingdom bled under fear," I said, my voice carrying unnaturally far. "Today, that ends."
Light and fire merged at my fingertipsnot destructive, but commanding.
The battlefield stilled.
Knees hit the ground.
The curse surged once more, violent and desperatebut this time, it didn't fight me.
It bowed.
Kael stared at me in awe.
"You were never meant to die," he whispered.
I took his hand.
"I was meant to rule."