Rocky terrain, jagged and imposing. Miniature mountains with solid-gold summits, peaks glittering in the bright sunlight. Water. Tributaries running down the mountains, merging into little pools, and at the bottom, a lake, glistening blue and deep.
This place seems to be a gigantic arena. The tunnel opening has led me out of the side of the largest mountain, and I just stand there, looking around at this enormous spherical stage. It’s so unnaturally silent that my foot dislodging a pebble sounds like an avalanche.
Where is the Council? And what is it, exactly, that I’m supposed to be doing? Do they want me to call the rain? Freeze a stream or two? And why the peculiar setting? I could do just as much by the pool in the training room.
I dig my nails into my palms and try to think. I have a pretty good view of my surroundings, but perhaps I should try to secure an even better vantage point. My gaze lands on the gold-tipped peak in the centre of the arena. It takes several minutes to climb it, my boots rasping against the stone. Soon I reach the top, breathing hard.
That’s when I hear it – a soft, tinkling laugh. I whip round. Ember is standing a few feet away from me.
‘Hello, cousin.’
I back up automatically, staring at her in astonishment. ‘What are you doing here?’
I notice she’s wearing that same rust-orange gown she wore at Harglade Hall.
‘You know, Blaze,’ says Ember, twirling a lock of dark hair round her finger, ‘it never ceases to amaze me just how pathetic you are.’
I grit my teeth.
‘How I laughed when I discovered you were an Heir. Nobody can say the Gods don’t have a sense of humour.’
‘Ember,’ I say, trying to keep my voice level.
‘I’ve often wondered,’ she continues, ‘how does it feel to be in a room full of people and know there is not a soul among them who does not despise you?’
I look down at my feet, refusing to let her see the hurt on my face.
‘Do you ever think about how many of their loved ones you killed with that storm? How many lost children, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers?’ She pauses, a cruel smile curling the corners of her mouth. ‘Of course, you know all about losing a mother, Blaze. Tell me, what was it like to watch the life drain out of dear Aunt Analiese?’
Bile rises in my throat.
‘Such a waste,’ Ember says with a sigh. ‘Especially since the child responsible for her death appears to be even more of a burden than you are.’
I ball my hands into fists. ‘Leave Ren out of this.’
Ember steps closer, her dress rustling across the golden rock. ‘Poor, sweet little Renly. Utterly powerless. Who ever heard of an Etheri without a gift? How breakable he is. How unwanted. Your father hasn’t even laid eyes on him since he was born. I wonder what it must be like to know that everybody he loves wishes he had never existed at all. How, if given the choice, they would trade his life for his mother’s in a heartbeat.’
Her words are poisonous. ‘Shut your mouth.’
‘No wonder you love him more than anyone, Blaze. He’s just like you.Empty.’
I want to slap the smile off Ember’s smug face. But I don’t get the chance, because my cousin disappears. I blink in confusion.
That’s when I hear another voice.
‘Foolish girl. You really thought I loved you?’
I spin round.
Grandmother’s stick raps loudly on the golden bedrock as she moves closer to me. ‘How could anybody loveyou? You, who have brought such shame to our good name. To me. Who could ever love you after what you did? Who could ever love you for who you are?’
My eyes are wide with shock.
‘You are nothing but a disappointment. You arenothing. You will always be nothing next to Flint Flameborn.’
‘It’s true, Blaze,’ comes Flint’s voice from behind me. ‘You know it’s true. Do you have any idea how much I hate you? My freak sister, a constant thorn in my side. Why do you think I spent so much time at court?’
Hot tears prick behind my eyes. ‘Flint,’ I begin, unable to keep the plea out my voice.
