Kingdom of Ash

and slammed them upon his chest.
The world slowed and warped.
Yet Yrene was not afraid.
Not afraid at all of the blinding white light
that erupted from her, searing into Erawan.
He arched, shrieking, but Damaris held him
down, that ancient blade unwavering.
His dark power rose, a wave to devour the
world.
Yrene did not let it touch her. Touch any of
them.
Hope.
It was hope that Chaol had said she carried
with her. Hope that now grew in her womb.
For a better future. For a free world.
It was hope that had guided two women at
opposite ends of this continent ten years ago.
Hope that had guided Yrene’s mother to take
up that knife and kill the soldier who would
have burned Yrene alive. Hope that had