The first time she saw him, he was surrounded by flames. The bleeding sky cast a red glow around his silhouette as the sun sank below the horizon. She couldn't clearly see his eyes, but his gaze burned every part of her skin it lingered on.

As his blazing aura threatened to reduce her to ashes, stories from her childhood of terrifying beasts flashed through her mind. Surely if those legendary beasts ever had existed, he would be one of them—one of the dragons.

***

Concentrate.

Kel heard the old man's voice in her mind as she pulled her bow string up to her nose. She closed her eyes as a familiar prickling sensation began in her chest. She silently urged the sensation down her arm toward her finger that held the arrow firmly against her bow.

Hold it. The man's voice once again entered her mind.

I'm trying. Kel grunted internally, scrunching her eyes while the uncomfortable sensation swirled around her finger. She breathed out slowly, counting the seconds.

Now.

Her eyes shot open as the bow string snapped and the arrow flew toward the old stump in front of her. Flames eagerly engulfed the dead wood as soon as the arrow hit its mark.

"You're getting better." Kel flinched at the unexpected voice. She whirled around to face her friend.

"I didn't realize anyone was here," she muttered, glancing sheepishly at the flaming stump.

"You're lucky it was me," Dash smirked, grabbing the bucket of water next to her and splashing the fire, "Be more careful next time, yeah?"

"What's the big deal anyway?" Kel pouted, taking the singed arrow Dash held out to her.

"Maybe the fact that you can create fire using your mind?" he scoffed, reaching out to tuck a piece of loose hair behind her ear. "Speaking of secrets, you should probably be better at keeping this hair of yours out of sight as well."

Kel playfully knocked his hand away.

"Enough with your nagging!"

The pair exchanged a few light-hearted jabs before Dash stopped suddenly, dropping his gaze to the ground.

"It's really happening today, isn't it?" he said quietly.

As soldiers under the Mevani King, they were both used to dangerous missions and long stretches of time spent away from home. Their task this time, however, was riskier than usual. Regardless of success or failure, the chances of them meeting again safely in their home country were slim. Even if they did meet again, it wouldn't be for years.

"What are you pouting for?" Kel tried to force a laugh, "You'll be by my side for a while longer, right?"

"I just wish…" Dash's voice trailed off, and he shook his head. He suddenly threw his arm around Kel's shoulders, using his other hand to rub his fist against her head.

"I guess I'm the one who will face the most danger trying to protect you, your highness" he smirked sarcastically, grinding his knuckles deeper into her forehead.

"Were you about to say you wish it was the real princess instead?" Kel teased, tugging Dash's ruthless fist away. Most of the palace guards were hopelessly smitten with the princess, and Kel enjoyed poking fun at Dash about it.

The two of them had grown up together, training under Dash's uncle to become palace guards. Dash had family connections, but Kel, a peasant and orphan, was only lucky enough to get taken in by the palace thanks to her identical hair color to the princess and unique fire ability.

She grew up training as a body double for the princess while Dash trained to be her personal guard. Princess Adriell, famed for her unmatched beauty and uncommon golden hair, had spent her childhood alongside the two as the only children in the palace. The three of them were as close as siblings.

"I wish neither of you had to make this difficult journey," Dash said. He hesitated before adding, "but I'm glad you're strong enough to handle anything out there."

Kel grinned in response. Since Dash's uncle passed away, he was the only one left who knew how truly strong she was. She had worked in secret with the old man to fine tune her fire abilities, but never even scratched the surface of the power she could feel in her veins.

Uncle repeatedly stressed that keeping her capability concealed was more important than learning to wield it.

"The skills will come with time. Be patient and discreet," Uncle had always chided.

Four years ago, when Kel was fourteen and Dash was sixteen, Uncle went missing during patrol at the Serin border. It was around then that the Serin Empire declared their intention to take over the rest of the continent. Many soldiers were lost during that time, and few bodies were recovered. Most grieving families were forced to bury empty caskets, Dash and Kel included.

Straightening up and shouldering her quiver, Kel gave Dash a final slap on the back.

"Well, I'll be heading in to get ready. See you at the final briefing," she declared, turning to face the palace. Dash sent her off with a nod before heading toward the barracks.

As soon as she reached her room, Kel tossed her gear on the floor and slipped her headband off. She slowly unwound her tightly knotted hair, sending golden waves cascading down her back. Thanks to years of princess-level treatments, her hair glimmered beautifully, even when thoroughly coated in dirt and sweat.

She worked her leather armor off, eyeing her luggage that was already packed and waiting on her bed. She didn't have to open the bags to know they were full of frilly dresses and sparkling jewelry. She was permitted to wear more comfortable riding clothes during the journey, but would have to force herself into those stuffy clothes once they arrived in Pandreia.

Trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that popped up at thought of Pandreia, she quickly finished stripping and climbed into the wooden tub of warm water waiting for her. There would be plenty of time to be nervous later on. For now, she would focus on preparing for the most critical mission of her life.

A sudden knock on the door startled her.

"Miss Keliyah, are you ready?" called a shrill voice outside. The maids were here. Why had she been worrying about Pandreia anyway? Surely nothing in the large coastal kingdom could be more frightening than the hours of scrubbing, brushing and pulling that awaited her.

She took a deep breath.

"Come in."

Later, sparkling from head to toe, Kel found herself standing in front of the large ornate doors concealing the king's audience chamber.

She recalled the first time she'd been called here. It had been less than a year since an old man claiming to be Dash's uncle found them on the street and invited them to come learn swordsmanship at the palace.

Under the old man's direction, Kel dressed as a boy, and cut her hair short. She didn't understand why, until the day she received a summons from the king.

At eight years old, she suddenly found herself standing before those grand doors. They had seemed much larger and terrifying back then. Even a street-born orphan like Kel knew the king's summons was an honor very few people received in their lifetime. She gulped as the two armor-clad men heaved the grandiose wooden doors open and announced her arrival.

The thoughts whirring around her mind stopped immediately when she saw a girl sitting in the middle of the room.

The girl looked a few years older than Kel, with long yellow hair and fair skin. Kel subconsciously brushed her hand against her tanned cheek and short hair as she gawked at the girl's beauty. Though the same color, she doubted her once unkempt golden mane would have ever resembled that girl's long silky hair.

"Welcome, Keliyah of the guards," a deep voice called.

Kel looked to see a large man with sharp features and graying hair sitting in an elegant chair at the head of the room.

"Your majesty," she bowed clumsily, peeking up to add, "I go by Kel, sir."

The corners of the man's mouth twitched with amusement at her remark.

"Kel is it?" he asked.

"Ah, yes, sir," Kel responded, raising her head.

"Come sit down," the king motioned to an empty chair next to the girl with pretty hair. Kel nodded and hastily scurried to her seat.

That was the first time she met Adriell and the king. That day, she learned she would receive additional education as a double for the princess along with regular soldier training. She must always keep her identity, and most importantly her hair, a secret.

Since then, Kel had visited this room many times. It was here that she received and reported on missions, sometimes as a soldier and others as Adriell's double. Although this was a familiar routine, she couldn't help but feel different this time. Whether she failed or succeeded, she might never stand before these doors again.

She cleared her throat and nodded to the guards. They dipped their heads politely before slowly pushing the doors open.