I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 146: I don’t use it much

The sky was a breathtaking canvas of warm hues—golden light bleeding into soft pinks and fiery oranges, stretching endlessly over the jagged horizon of Montis Askrath.

Wisps of clouds drifted lazily, painted in streaks of crimson as the last remnants of daylight clung stubbornly to the world.

Below them, the mountain slopes fell away into rolling valleys, darkening in the twilight, their silhouettes sharp against the backdrop of the deepening sky.

Elysia sat on a sturdy rock, rolling her shoulders back and exhaling slowly, feeling the ache in her muscles settle in. Hours of hiking had taken their toll, but the soreness was familiar, even welcomed.

This was a different kind of exhaustion from battle, from wielding a sword or strategizing against enemies. It was a natural tiredness, the kind that came from pushing her body against the elements, from moving and breathing in a world that wasn't tainted by war.

Across from her, Malvoria crouched near a pile of dry wood, arranging it carefully with the practiced ease of someone who had done this before.

There was no flick of her wrist, no whisper of incantations. No magic. Just her hands, strong and steady, setting each piece in place.

Elysia frowned slightly. "You're really doing all that manually?"

Malvoria glanced at her, smirking. "You sound surprised."

"I am," Elysia admitted, watching as Malvoria struck flint against stone, coaxing the first embers to life. "I thought you'd just snap your fingers and set it ablaze."

Malvoria gave a quiet chuckle, the orange glow of the forming fire reflecting in her gray eyes. "Magic is convenient, but there's satisfaction in doing things with your own hands."

Elysia rolled her eyes. "That sounds like something an old man would say."

Malvoria raised an eyebrow. "You're one to talk. You've barely used your magic since we left."

Elysia stiffened slightly at that, glancing toward the flickering flames as they began to take hold. She wasn't expecting Malvoria to notice, but of course, she had. Malvoria noticed everything.

"You're a fire user," Malvoria continued, settling back onto a nearby rock, her expression casual but observant. "And yet, I don't think I've ever seen you use your fire magic. Not once."

Elysia hesitated before muttering, "It's not something I use often."

Malvoria smirked. "Why? Afraid you'll set my precious mountain on fire?"

Elysia scowled. "No, but if you keep pushing me, I will light your hair on fire."

"Go ahead." Malvoria leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Let's see it."

Elysia huffed but extended her hand anyway, letting her fingers relax as warmth pooled beneath her skin.

It started as a flicker—a tiny, almost hesitant wisp of red flame curling around her palm. Then, with a sharp inhale, she let it surge. The fire burst to life, bright and vivid, dancing along her fingertips like a living thing.

For a moment, it was beautiful.

Then, it quickly became something else.

The flames grew too fast, curling hungrily around her wrist, licking at the dry wood nearby.

Elysia barely had time to yank her hand back before the heat pulsed outward, the edges of her control slipping just enough to send a crackling ember flying toward Malvoria.

Malvoria moved swiftly, tilting her head slightly as the ember zipped past her face before fizzling out in the air. She raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Really? That's the best you've got?"

Elysia scowled, shaking out her hand as the residual heat faded. "It's strong, okay? It's not like a candle flame."

Malvoria chuckled, her voice rich with amusement. "Clearly."

Elysia crossed her arms, glaring at the smug expression on Malvoria's face. "I don't use it much because it's unpredictable. It's easier to rely on my sword."

Malvoria hummed in understanding but didn't press further. Instead, she reached into their supplies, pulling out a small bundle of fruit they had packed earlier.

As Elysia watched, Malvoria plucked a ripe, dark-red fruit from the bunch, inspecting it for a moment before turning to Elysia.

And then, without a word, she lifted it to Elysia's lips.

Elysia froze.

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Her brain stalled for a full second as she stared at the piece of fruit being offered to her—not handed to her, but offered in the most aggravatingly casual way possible.

Her eyes flickered up to Malvoria's, but Malvoria's expression remained unreadable, though there was something smug lingering beneath the surface.

"Well?" Malvoria asked, voice smooth, like she wasn't doing something that made Elysia's entire stomach twist into knots. "Do you want it or not?"

Elysia clenched her jaw, torn between smacking Malvoria's hand away and doing something much more dangerous.

The air between them felt thicker, charged in a way that had nothing to do with magic.

With a deep, steadying breath, Elysia leaned forward, slowly, deliberately, and bit into the fruit—her lips brushing against Malvoria's fingertips in the process.

The taste was sweet and tangy, the juice bursting on her tongue, but it barely registered.

What did register was the way Malvoria's eyes darkened just slightly, just enough for Elysia to notice.

She chewed, swallowed, and, with a pointed look, muttered, "You're annoying."

Malvoria smirked, withdrawing her hand at an infuriatingly slow pace. "You keep saying that."

"Because it's true."

"And yet, you didn't stop me."

Elysia glared. "I was hungry."

Malvoria chuckled, clearly entertained. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Elysia opened her mouth to retort, but Malvoria spoke first. "When we go back to the castle, I'll help you train your magic."

Elysia blinked. "What?"

Malvoria leaned back slightly, stretching her arms before settling into a relaxed position. "You clearly avoid using it because you're afraid of losing control. But I can help with that."

Elysia hesitated. The idea of training with Malvoria was... not something she had ever considered. Malvoria was a force of nature, powerful and unyielding, but she wasn't exactly the teaching type.

Then again, Elysia did need to train.

Still, she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "And what do you get out of this?"

Malvoria smirked. "The satisfaction of knowing I won't have to dodge another fireball the next time you panic."

Elysia rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up."

Malvoria chuckled, tossing another piece of fruit toward Elysia, who caught it easily.

The tension that had settled between them earlier had softened into something else—something just as dangerous, but less suffocating.

There was still that sharpness, the ever-present battle of wills, but for now, sitting beneath the stars with their fire crackling softly between them, there was something close to peace.