Page 346 of Elemental Becoming

“Council meeting,” he says with all the enthusiasm one might reserve for a funeral.

“You don’t need me?” I ask, remembering how Thane said the eighth chair is now a permanent part of the council.

“Not today.” His smile softens. “One battle at a time. You’ll have more than enough council meetings in your future.”

He leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek.

“I’ll find you after your training with Valen. Tell me what you discover.”

I gather my things, rising just as Kieran stands and rolls his shoulders.

“Where are you off to?” he asks, sliding the wind-carver back into its scabbard.

“Meeting Valen for magics practice.”

He nods. “I’m heading that way. I’ll walk with you.”

I hesitate, not visibly, but long enough for the thought to catch.

The blade.

The crest.

The flame hidden in the design.

Smiling casually, I say, “Sure.”

My shields stay low for Thane.

We fall into step, leaving the dining hall behind. The morning air bites with autumn chill, but heat from the volcanic forges radiates through the stone beneath our boots. Faint waves shimmer above the paths, warm reminders that the streets ofVolcaris never truly cool, even when the air temperature does.

For several minutes, we walk in silence. Kieran moves with the easy confidence of someone accustomed to attention, yet I find myself studying him differently now.

A flicker of flame where it shouldn’t be.

A name rewritten.

A hidden legacy.

We cross the courtyard, basalt towers rising around us, dark stone catching the glow of forgefire even in daylight. Beyond the gates, the city is already awake. Traders haul carts of ore through the streets while voices rise and mingle with the sounds of the morning.

Kieran runs a hand through his tousled golden hair and glances my way. “So, how’s Valen’s magics training going? Burn anything down yet?”

I laugh.

“Not recently.” Then, as though the question has only just occurred to me, I add, “You mentioned your family was full of scholars. Were they historians? Record keepers?”

“Mostly scholars. Some advisors. Why?”

I shrug, keeping my tone light.

“Just thinking about your crest. The book and quill make sense, but the flame caught my attention. It made me wonder if your family was involved in more than scholarship.”

He laughs, shaking his head.

“You sound like Valen. He’s always saying that nothing in history happens by accident.”

His expression turns thoughtful.