ReynaIt was the sound of three sets of footsteps crunching over the burnt earth that I heard before I could even see them. My body was screaming for me to end this dark and torturous puppetry by running towards them, but I stood there, frozen in fear. The will of Pyrra’s malevolent energy, like a wisp of nightshade, silences my desperate cries. It intoxicates me, fills me with a seething fury that was not my own. Pyrra whispers in the far recesses of my mind, “Stay still, Reyna. Let them come to you.”So, I waited, every muscle quivering like a taut bowstring.I saw Rune first, rushing into the clearing, his eyes widening as they met my gaze. Cassian and Malachi followed, their jaws clenched, tension radiating off them. They hesitated, only for a moment, as if weighing their choices. But I could see it in their eyes—their insatiable need to save me.Rune stepped into the flaming circle that surrounded me. The agony in his eyes almost broke me, almost tore Pyrra’s tendrils from my

ReynaWe’re standing in a cavern, much like the one from my dream, our eyes transfixed on the scene in front of us. High stone seats almost reach the ceiling, every seat filled by someone with a vendetta; someone who lost a loved one over the last fifty years because of her actions.But Shae doesn’t even look bothered about her pending execution; her face a mask of contentment and her heartbeat as calm as the sea. The four Elemental Alphas surround her as she’s on her knees with a silver contraption around her neck.“The council of Cardinaem sentences Shae Maddox to death,” my uncle declares to everyone present. “For the murder of my brother, Alpha Konrad, the destruction of an entire kingdom and its people on Aether, destruction of half of Embereign and the premeditated murders of Alpha Zephyrus, Alpha Terra and Alpha Alpha Boreas’ fathers; our previous Alphas.”Alpha Zephyrus steps forward. “However, the council of Cardinaem also permits any person sentenced to death to say their la

Reyna The atmosphere is absolutely electric, with the smell of rich earth and warm bonfires filling the air and adding to the overall experience. We’re in the grand hall of the Four Elemental Alphas’ stronghold, saying our final goodbyes as we get ready to depart for our island.Alphas Boreas, Zephyrus, Terra, and my uncle, Konrad, stand in a semicircle, their faces a mix of relief and contentment. Rune, Malachi, Cassian, and I exchange firm handshakes and heartfelt hugs with them.“You always have a place here,” Alpha Boreas says, his voice as steady as the frozen mountains he reigns over.“And you, in our kingdom,” Malachi responds and I watch as he and Alpha Boreas exchange a look of agreement, as if they knew something we didn’t.Alpha Terra, smothered in the aroma of fresh greenery, takes Rune’s hand and shakes it fiercely. “May your roots find fertile ground, wherever you go!” he says and I see the amusement in Malachi’s eyes at this exchange.I walk toward Uncle Konrad to emb

ReynaThe next morning, the sun bathes the castle gardens in hues of gold and amber, a stark contrast to the weight of the shadows in my heart. I find Amina near the rose bushes, her hands gently cupping the blossoms as if whispering secrets to them. She looks up as I approach, and her face brightens.“Reyna, good morning. I was just checking on the lavender and roses for a few arrangements. How are you feeling today?”“I’m hanging in there,” I reply, my voice laced with exhaustion. “The sleepless nights are starting to take a toll.”She nods sympathetically, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s understandable. The body and mind need rest, especially now. Would you like me to speak to Rune about possibly creating a mixture to make you sleep better?”“If it will be safe for the baby,” I say, then I step back when she drops the pruning scissors, her eyes wide. Oh, I forgot my pregnancy isn’t common knowledge yet.“The baby?!” she exclaims as wonder fills her eyes. “Oh, R

ReynaThe weight of a thousand parchment scrolls felt lighter than the responsibility of planning this wedding. Here I am, standing in the grand hall of our island castle, neck-deep in swatches of silks, fragrant candles, and colour-coded guest lists. The countdown had started—less than a month until the wedding. With every tick of the clock, my pulse seemed to race faster. I’d always dreamed of this day, but the reality was nothing like my fantasies. It wasn’t just a wedding; it was a convergence of powerful Alphas from across the kingdoms, including the elemental Alphas from beyond the sea.It was the stuff of legends, or nightmares, depending on how I felt at any given moment.And then there was Pyrra. That insidious voice that had once been a part of me, was now an ever-present threat lurking in the unborn life within me. Between her past betrayal and her current menacing silence, I had enough dread to fill an ocean. But the wedding planning? That was an entirely different beast