Chapter 263

The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of charred stone as the flames in the west wing of the castle raged out of control. The fire roared, devouring walls and licking up toward the sky. A thunderous crack echoed through the night as the western tower groaned, teetering on the edge of collapse.

Talon was suddenly hurled through a window but a powerful gust of air. His body twisting unnaturally before crashing heavily to the ground. The impact sent a shockwave through the charred remains of the courtyard.

From the fiery ruins, Alaric emerged, leaping through the shattered stone and billowing smoke. He soared through the air and landed squarely on Talon, pinning him to the ground while holding a spear of swirling wind.

He raised the spear, aiming to drive it into Talon’s shoulder but as his eyes met Talon’s, something in those fierce, crimson orbs madr him hesitate. Talon's gaze was hardened, blazing with anger but also laced with an intensity