Gates

Following the prophet’s tooth, Isla arrives on Sun Isle and is drawn to towering golden gates. Her abilities and Grim’s borrowed power cannot breach the shield surrounding them. As she attempts force, Oro ambushes her, accusing her of slaughtering Sunling coastal guards based on witnesses who saw “Isla.”

Isla explains Lark’s attack and impersonation. Oro, shaken but convinced, admits he and Grim knew of Lark and agrees that Lark threatens all. Isla reveals her plan to banish Lark through Nightshade’s deadly portal but needs the missing pages beyond the gates. Oro warns only his bloodline can enter and that the inner desert’s heat can overpower magic. He opens the gates with his blood, and they proceed together.

They traverse a canyon into open desert as heat saps Isla’s strength. Isla resists a fleeting thought to kill Oro to fulfill prophecy. As the sun intensifies, she sheds gear and struggles to conserve power while Oro withholds Sunling magic to avoid worsening the heat. The prophet’s tooth continues to pull her deeper.

A vast sandstorm rises. Oro drags Isla toward rock shelter as the storm engulfs them. Remembering Azul’s stormstone ring, Isla faces the gale to capture its power, then collapses inside a small, scorching cave. The storm may last hours, threatening dehydration.

Overheated, Isla and Oro strip to endure the trapped heat. Isla’s attempt to cool herself with Moonling ability falters, so Oro carefully chills her skin, offering relief. Heightened by storm-tainted sand, their desire surges; Isla urges more intimacy, but Oro restrains himself, urging her to sleep. He apologizes for Zed’s attack and confirms Zed is imprisoned. Isla, still burning and exhausted, finally sleeps, dreaming of the night before the battle.