Mag-log in"You will never touch my husband," I said. "You will never touch my son. You will never touch my kingdom."The Grand Empress did not flinch."Then you will burn, Seraphina. And everyone you love will burn with you.""With all due respect, Grand Empress, I urge you to leave this room with immediate effect." I seethed, and she recoiled, not expecting my outburst."Leave. If not, we both know who would get burned," I said, stretching my palm out. Smoke fanned from my fingertips, curling through the air like phantom serpents. She jolted back, taking several strides away from me."You're threatening me, Seraphina. You're threatening me! You're boldly admitting to your cursed dragon tribe!""You don't raise your voice at your queen, Empress. You don't need anyone to remind you of that, do you?""Guards," I called, and two of them rushed in."Yes, my Luna.""Escort her. It seems the Empress has forgotten the way out," I smiled, and she glared at me with pure venom."You'll pay for this. I al
SERAPHINA'S POVThe week stretched, and every day seemed to pass slower than the previous. I rubbed my fingertips together in slow, small circles, and I could feel them warm up.I had been doing this consecutively for days. Somehow, I was a bit scared to do more than just rub my fingertips together. I had witnessed the use of my powers, and with what I felt inside, it was so much stronger.But fear was not going to protect my son. Fear was not going to save my pack. Fear was not going to stop the Grand Empress.I needed to learn.---Kaelan found me in the old training grounds, hidden behind the east wing. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the stone floor. I was sitting cross-legged, my palms facing up, trying to summon the fire.Nothing happened."You have been here for hours," he said, leaning against the doorway.I did not look up. "I need to learn.""You need to rest.""I have rested enough."He walked toward me. His boots echoed against the stone. He stopped in fro
SERAPHINA'S POVI should have been called in by now. The plan was for the ministers to demand my presence, and I would walk in and unleash my fire on them. These petty ministers. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that Asher is even allowed to enter the palace.Everyone knows of his shenanigans, yet he still holds the title of an Alpha. I really do not understand Stonecrest sometimes."Your Majesty," a maid called, bowing as she stood at the entrance."What is it?" I stood, eager."The Grand Alpha requests your presence, Your Majesty," she said, and a smile spread across my lips.Finally."Lead the way."---The hall stretched before me as I walked. At the corner of my chest, right there, Vesper spoke. "You do not seem scared."Should I be?Maybe I should, but I was not feeling any fear. I should be scared. I was a sheep in the lion's den. The last remaining Elyxis. The one with fire that could burn down the whole country if wielded powerfully.They would do everything to bri
KAELAN'S POVThe morning sun had barely risen over Stonecrest when the first carriage arrived.I stood at the window of my study, watching as more carriages rolled through the palace gates. One after another. Black. Polished. Bearing the crests of packs from across the territory.They had requested this meeting. Demanded it, really. A formal petition had arrived three days ago, signed by five Alpha houses, requesting an audience with the crown.The reason? Rumors. Whispers. Accusations against my Luna.Rio stood behind me, a scroll in his hand, reading the names."Alpha Marcus of the Shadowfang pack. Alpha Viktor of the Ironclaw pack. Alpha Helena of the Moonridge pack." He paused. "And Alpha Asher of the Blackfang pack."My jaw tightened at the last name.Asher.He had walked into my territory. My palace. After everything."They are being hosted in the east wing," Rio continued. "Refreshments have been served. They are... restless.""Let them be restless. They demanded this meeting.
ASHER'S POVThe fire had burned low in the hearth, casting long shadows across the walls of the small cottage. I sat in the corner, a glass of whiskey in my hand, my jaw tight.I had lost.Not the war. Not yet. But the battle.My soldiers were dead or scattered. My element of surprise was gone. And Kaelan was still breathing. I had pledged that I would return victorious, but right now, I was actually shocked.Her fire.I had seen many things in my years. War. Death. Betrayal. I had watched men die in agony, had caused most of it myself. But I had never seen anything like her.The flames had come from nowhere. From her. Not a torch. Not a weapon. Just her palm, glowing orange and gold, and then—Fire.She had burned a grown wolf to death. And from the way the fire blazed, it could get much stronger than that. It was as though she did not know her own capability just yet. But I saw it. The way the fire blazed, the determination the orange flames burned with, was massive.Kaelan was not
ISOLDE'S POVMy leg tapped against the floor in rhythm. I was trying to control how nervous and scared I felt, but it was not working.I gulped down the little alcohol left in the jar beside me and closed my eyes as it burned my throat.Alpha Kael would come for me. I was sure of that. Someone had reported that my family's crest was found at the scene where Asher attacked. So he must have known that I was at the palace and that I had a hand in the abduction of that wretched Luna and her son.How could I have been so careless?This was the height of carelessness. If care was not taken, it might cost me my life.My own foolishness.I picked up the jar again. When I realized I had emptied the bottle, a wave of rage surged through me. I threw the jar away angrily, shattering it into pieces. The maids beside me jolted and hurried to clean up the mess.I stretched out my hand, and another jar full of alcohol was placed in my palm. I might as well drink myself to death before I was actually
SERAPHINA'S POVA sensation of weightlessness surrounds me; as if I’m submerged in deep water, floating without direction. There is no light, no sound, only a silent, endless dark.Where am I?My mind strains to remember. I was in the bath, the water warm against my skin… then nothing. Now, only th
SERAPHINA'S POV"Are you okay?" I heard Kaelan ask."Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," I answered, trying to shake off what I had just seen. Was that an illusion? It was so fleeting, yet so realistic."Let's head back," he said, and this time, I didn't argue.As we headed back, my body started getting weak; i
SERAPHINA'S POV Did I really rile Kaelan up so much that he hadn’t come home for more than a day? I hadn’t heard from him since our last outburst, and Ivanna confirmed he wasn’t in the castle. Maybe I’d said too much. Had I? But then… had his family really banished him? Just because of my reje
Isolde gulped, her face contorting with shame, and slowly sank to her knees. She met my eyes, and I felt the heat of her hatred radiating toward me.She looked once more at Kaelan, whose gaze dared her to challenge him.As she crouched and brought her mouth closer to the floor, the Empress sprang u







