ReynaThe back garden space behind the castle was alive with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of laughter. A canopy of twinkling fairy lights crisscrosses the sky, imitating the stars. The tables, adorned in deep purples, crimsons, emerald greens, and royal blues, stood out majestically amidst the lush greenery. Candlelit lanterns float in the air, illuminating the space in a soft, otherworldly glow. It feels like a vivid dream, suspended in a realm between reality and fantasy.The moment we stepped into the enchanting space, we were greeted by a chorus of cheers and applause. While we greet well-wishers with smiles, our hands entwined, a sudden bellow pierces through the festive atmosphere.“MATE!”The word echoes through the air like a sudden clap of thunder, causing everyone to stop in their tracks. The cry echoes through the air, and as I turn my head, I catch sight of Elemental Alpha Boreas of the Frozen Throne, his eyes locked on Amina. The crowd erupts into whisper

ReynaI wake up, my eyes adjusting to the morning light filtering through the curtains. For the first time in what feels like forever, my mind is blissfully free of worries, even the dark shadow of Pyrra that’s been haunting me. I turn my head, taking in the sight of Cassian, Rune, and Malachi, all asleep, their faces relaxed in the tranquillity of early morning. I turn my head to look at my mates still deep in slumber, their faces serene. Last night with them felt different, more primal, as if they were claiming me anew. Every inch of my body aches, a reminder of how all three of them made me feel worshipped last night. An overwhelming sense of gratitude washes over me, settling in the deepest corners of my heart. These men are my rock, the calm in the midst of life’s relentless storm.Slipping out of bed without disturbing them, I drape a robe over my shoulders and walk toward the balcony. The door creaks open, yielding to the soft touch of dawn. As I step outside, the sea breeze

MalachiMy boots strike the floor in rhythmic echoes that boom through the empty corridor, the sound a physical manifestation of the turmoil inside me. The walls of the corridor seem to close in, much like the walls of dread and confusion closing in around my thoughts. Reyna is gone, and this time I’m not sure if we can get her back.As I pace back and forth outside Cassian’s hospital room, I can’t help but feel trapped in a swirl of emotions at war with each other — fury at Pyrra, guilt for not being able to protect Reyna, and a relentless, gnawing worry for Cassian. The air clings to my skin like a heavy, oppressive blanket, carrying the weight of my heartache and dread. I can’t shake the image of Reyna, her flames wild like her eyes, filled with a despair so deep that it swallowed her whole. Could I have stopped her? My mind races in futile circles, endlessly replaying that last moment when she looked at me, her eyes so full of love and so devoid of hope.What if she becomes the

MalachiThe tension in the room is thick enough to cut with a knife. Cassian lies in the intensive care unit, his condition stable but still far from reassuring. Rune and I had been bouncing strategies back and forth for hours. His eyes are bloodshot, evidence of the sleepless night we’ve both had. He sits across from me, his fingers nervously drumming on the table.“We can’t just sit here, Kai,” Rune finally breaks the silence, frustration lacing his voice. “It feels like we’re wasting time right now!”“I know,” I say, locking eyes with him. “But charging in blindly could make things worse for everyone, especially Reyna.”He leans back, scrubbing his face with both hands before running his fingers through his dishevelled hair. “I know, I know. It’s just... watching Cassian like this, it’s a grim reminder of what we’re up against. And what she’s up against.”I get up and walk over to him, drawing my hand to his throat and squeezing gently. His eyes close and he breathes out a heavy si

ReynaI step into the forest clearing, a familiar dreamscape woven of fog and whispers. The fog is a tactile thing tonight, curling around me as if it knows the burdens I carry. My eyes land on the charred tree stump that stands like a sentinel in this sacred place. Four tiny green sprouts breathe life from its scorched trunk, and something about that breaks my heart and mends it at the same time.“Keeper,” I say, my voice not much more than a husky whisper, laced with a sense of impending dread. The Keeper manifests from the fog as though woven from it. His eyes are like the night sky on the clearest of nights—limitless and deep. “Ah, Reyna, child of complexity, you stand at the threshold of choice, do you not?”“Yes,” I confess, my eyes reluctantly leaving the tiny sprouts. “Much has happened since we last spoke. I’ve come to seek your counsel, but I can’t shake the feeling that the lock and key you speak of are slipping through my fingers.” He seems to sigh. “Each time you step