The Thirteenth Ember - Chapter 38: Chapter 38
You are reading The Thirteenth Ember, Chapter 38: Chapter 38. Read more chapters of The Thirteenth Ember.
The morning light slipped through cracks in the cave ceiling, painting soft lines across the stone. Aeryn woke before Kael, his arm still draped across her waist, his breath warm at the back of her neck.
She didn’t move for a long time.
Not because of comfort though it was rare.
Not because of fear though it always lingered.
But because she felt... different.
Subtly.
Undeniably.
A hum beneath her skin. Not the kind that came from magic or exhaustion, but something quieter. Deeper.
She placed her hand low over her abdomen again.
There was no pain. No symptoms. Just a sensation like warmth blooming slowly beneath the surface.
By the time they returned to the rebel camp, messengers were already waiting.
A faction from the Eastern Spine had declared loyalty. Another from the Silver Dunes was asking for weapons.
The rebellion was growing faster than they could contain it.
Liora met her near the council tent, eyes sharp. “The Emberborn Faithful are trying to carve your sigil into every stronghold they pass. You need to speak to them.”
Aeryn rubbed her temples. “Tell them I’m not
interested in being their myth.”
“They don’t care what you’re interested in,” Liora snapped. “They care what you represent.”
Kael stepped forward, his tone gentle but firm. “Then they need to understand that what she represents isn't divine. It’s choice. It’s resistance. Not idolatry.”
Liora hesitated, then nodded, stepping aside.
But the tension hung heavy.
Aeryn slipped away later that afternoon. To the old, half-collapsed healer’s wing beneath the ruined temple the only place no one dared follow her.
She lay on the dusty cot alone, the stone beneath
her cold.
And placed her palm again across the growing warmth at her core.
She breathed slowly.
Deeply.
Was it possible?
She’d fought through ash and flame. Lost people she loved. Burned away parts of herself she never thought she’d recover.
But this feeling?
It was new.
Gentle.
Alive.
That night, she stood at the edge of the cliffs with Kael beside her.
They watched the torches of distant villages flicker to life, like stars pulled to the earth.
Kael glanced down at her, his expression unreadable but his eyes soft.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said.
Aeryn didn’t answer at first. Then: “I think something’s changing.”
“In you?”
She nodded.
He didn’t ask what.
He didn’t press.
Instead, he reached out and touched her belly not expecting, not demanding. Just hoping.
Aeryn covered his hand with hers.
I’m not sure yet,” she said. “But… I feel it. Like a spark. A second flame.”
Kael closed his eyes, pulling her gently against him.
“Then whatever comes… we protect it. Together.”
She didn’t move for a long time.
Not because of comfort though it was rare.
Not because of fear though it always lingered.
But because she felt... different.
Subtly.
Undeniably.
A hum beneath her skin. Not the kind that came from magic or exhaustion, but something quieter. Deeper.
She placed her hand low over her abdomen again.
There was no pain. No symptoms. Just a sensation like warmth blooming slowly beneath the surface.
By the time they returned to the rebel camp, messengers were already waiting.
A faction from the Eastern Spine had declared loyalty. Another from the Silver Dunes was asking for weapons.
The rebellion was growing faster than they could contain it.
Liora met her near the council tent, eyes sharp. “The Emberborn Faithful are trying to carve your sigil into every stronghold they pass. You need to speak to them.”
Aeryn rubbed her temples. “Tell them I’m not
interested in being their myth.”
“They don’t care what you’re interested in,” Liora snapped. “They care what you represent.”
Kael stepped forward, his tone gentle but firm. “Then they need to understand that what she represents isn't divine. It’s choice. It’s resistance. Not idolatry.”
Liora hesitated, then nodded, stepping aside.
But the tension hung heavy.
Aeryn slipped away later that afternoon. To the old, half-collapsed healer’s wing beneath the ruined temple the only place no one dared follow her.
She lay on the dusty cot alone, the stone beneath
her cold.
And placed her palm again across the growing warmth at her core.
She breathed slowly.
Deeply.
Was it possible?
She’d fought through ash and flame. Lost people she loved. Burned away parts of herself she never thought she’d recover.
But this feeling?
It was new.
Gentle.
Alive.
That night, she stood at the edge of the cliffs with Kael beside her.
They watched the torches of distant villages flicker to life, like stars pulled to the earth.
Kael glanced down at her, his expression unreadable but his eyes soft.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said.
Aeryn didn’t answer at first. Then: “I think something’s changing.”
“In you?”
She nodded.
He didn’t ask what.
He didn’t press.
Instead, he reached out and touched her belly not expecting, not demanding. Just hoping.
Aeryn covered his hand with hers.
I’m not sure yet,” she said. “But… I feel it. Like a spark. A second flame.”
Kael closed his eyes, pulling her gently against him.
“Then whatever comes… we protect it. Together.”
End of The Thirteenth Ember Chapter 38. Continue reading Chapter 39 or return to The Thirteenth Ember book page.