*** Bea's POV*** The pendant levitated towards the dark Phoenix. Pulled by a higher force, its glow intensifies the closer they walk. "Adrian, step away." I rush out of the crowd behind the couple, Omar sticking close to me while Francis steps in front of them, halting their walk. We had them surrounded. Everyone gasped at our audacity to interrupt the ceremony. I could hear the King scrutinizing our disrespect and ordering Connor to end the blasphemy. "Bea?" He says my name in a questioning tone. Adrian's blue eyes glittered with the thought I might be doing this with an altered motive. Little did he know the reason behind it was very sinister. "Why? Why do all this? Why hurt them?" My voice quivers. It hurt knowing someone close to me was the one behind this. I shared meals, hopes, and tears with them. "Bea, what's going on?" Connor questions, having made his way through the crowd. His hand on my upper arm hauled me back, triggering a discontented grunt from Omar. Ripping

*** Bea's POV***I sit up abruptly, gasping as if I had swum from the ocean's depth on an exceedingly long last breath. The place stinks of sulfur, the rock walls have a charcoal black tone, and the cot I currently sit on is made of straws. My mind feels blank, frozen in time. One minute I'm being pushed through the white door by the Moon Goddess, then waking up here. I swing my legs over the edge, noticing the heaviness and the clink of chains around my left ankle, hidden under a gentleman's Victorian black coat over my legs. Where was I? How did I get here?"H-ello?" The effort of a single word breaks me into a coughing fit, grey particles splattering all over my palm. "A-ny-one here? Cough. Cough." Nothing but the constant distant crowd babble is heard. I stand up. How long had I been out, so my right arm no longer hurt? I drag my bare feet to the metal bars."Can anyone hear me?" I couldn't be in the castle's dungeon. The conditions there were more modern and cleaner than in this

***Omar’s POV***~in the Underworld~“Let’s be the change, together.”Ms. Beatrice's words make me question my beliefs in so many ways. In a kingdom ruled with an Iron fist since the beginning of time, I’m known for my unapproachable, ruthless conduct. I even dare to compare myself to Hades in the matter of punishments. Such traits were instigated by my father, relinquishing any lingering soft, caring mannerisms from my mother’s love. Allies and enemies fear my family name. At what purpose? What had centuries of rivalry and innocent bloodshed achieved for us? Revenge didn’t soothe the pain living in my heart since Mother’s assassination. Nothing did, except her. I watch Beatrice sleep in my arms as we lay on the floor after battling our bubbling emotions. It fascinated me how she could be the trigger to my end and, simultaneously, the only one capable of saving me from it. An Ice Phoenix, at that; our family's number one nemesis. Any other cerulean feather shifter would be a trophy in

Beatrice POV "Blizzard, we have to land," my voice is nothing but a mouse squeak, easily covered by the flapping of Blizzard's wings yet anguished enough to be noticed. "Please!" I thump Blizzard's claw, alerting him to my desperate request. Omar's condition is critical. Slanted like a ragged doll over Blizzard's right claw, I witness hopelessly as his eyes become droopier and his sun-warming Olive skin turns a pale candle wax tone, almost like vampire blood-drained victims. Not an overall flattering look. We dip through the dusky pink clouds below, bringing a striking landmark into view. An active volcano stands amidst the desolated charcoal land before us, the active bubbling crater emitted a thick grey smoke cloud up in the air, creating the fog blanket we dove through. As Blizzard glides closer to the ground, the air becomes cooler and easier to breathe. He hovers by a cave entrance at the bottom of the volcano gently dropping us before he lands. My Mother, Naomi, slides down his

***Beatrice's POV***The sound of seagulls and the gentle breeze stirred me awake. I push myself off the cold, hard surface. As I rubbed my eyes, I couldn't believe what I saw. A beautiful Greek oasis lay before me, complete with a circle of white columns ornamented with sheer fabric dancing in the soft, salty breeze. The worked stone floors created trim levels, descending onto a square pond in the center where water sparkles like crystals under the warm sunlight. The cool water beckoned me to touch it, and as I leaned over the edge, I saw my reflection. The scenery wasn’t the only thing that had changed. My ragged and volcanic ash-dusted clothes were now pristine white, with no tears. I wore a golden olive tree leaf crown with my hair down. But Something was off, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was supposed to be somewhere else. My fingers tickle the surface, and water ripples transform my Greek Goddess reflection into a motioned image. Uncle Leo grips my mother by her neck, h