ANMELDENCASSAIN "Shit..how do I survive everything at once today?""You can postpone the wedding you know?""No way. Do you want her to change her mind?""Ugh..if you weren’t both my parents I'd be concerned at your insane level of obsession with her but she is my mother so.."Game day. Wedding day. Somehow, the universe decided it was a great idea to cram both into the same twenty-four hours.I wake up before the sun. My muscles ache from practice yesterday, and my mind is buzzing with strategies, not just for the match but for the rest of the day—the ceremony, Evelessa’s face, her dress, the looks she’ll give me, the chaos inevitably waiting in the wings.The arena smells like leather, sweat, and anticipation.I take a deep breath, feeling the pulse of the crowd before I even step onto the field. My team is ready, eyes sharp, adrenaline primed. We all know what’s at stake—honor, pride, and yes, a wedding that’s waiting on the other side of victory.The whistle blows. The game starts.I mo
CASSAIN I have a rule when it comes to wedding preparations: keep it clean, precise, and dignified.Today, that rule is being tested.I’m in Maison D’Or, the finest tailor in the city, white marble floors, polished brass fixtures, mirrors everywhere you can see every angle of yourself, and soft classical music that whispers “wealth” without needing to shout it. I’ve been looking forward to this: the moment I finally choose the suit that will say to the world, I am marrying Evelessa, and yes, I own every second of this room.I’ve walked past racks of suits lined up like soldiers on parade, fabrics shining under the lights. My tailor, a man named François, has been hovering politely, making notes, asking questions. It’s perfect. Peaceful. Until my phone buzzes.I glance down.A text from one of my so-called “business partners,” the type of man who apparently thinks being rich also makes you creative in problem-solving.“Congrats on the engagement! Sending a little celebratory entertain
EVELESSA “I hate this already,” I mutter.“You haven’t even tried anything on,” Alexis replies, completely unbothered as she flips through a rack like she owns the place.“She’s right,” Aretha adds, sitting down dramatically like she’s about to watch a live performance.“I’m here for entertainment.”“You’re pregnant,” I remind her.“And?”“And you’re supposed to be supportive.”“I am supportive, you were the one who got screwed into saying yes so just deal with it” she says.“I'm here for the drama.”Of course she is.I pinch the bridge of my nose.“This was a mistake.”“No,” Seraphina says calmly.“This is necessary.”I turn to her.“Why?”“Because you are getting married.”“I’m aware.”“And you need a dress.”“I also own dresses.”“Not this kind.”“She’s right,” Lira chimes in softly, her hand resting protectively over her babies.“You deserve something special.”I glance at her.At the quiet glow in her eyes.At the softness she’s carrying now.And I sigh.Because fine.Fine.I ca
ALEXIS“Say that again.”I don’t look up.I don’t blink.I don’t even pause the line I’m writing.Because if I do I might actually laugh.Or worse—Engage.And I’m not in the mood.“I said,” the voice repeats, louder this time, “this room is needed.”Still not looking.Still writing.Still unimpressed.“By who?” I ask.Calm.Flat.Bored.There’s a pause.The kind that expects recognition.The kind that assumes importance.The kind that usually works on people who care.I don’t.“By me.”I sigh.Set my pen down.And then I look up.Finally.Slowly.Deliberately.Because if someone is going to interrupt my class—They should at least earn my attention.He’s… polished.Expensive suit.Perfect posture.Confidence that borders on arrogance—No.Not borders.Lives there.Breathes there.Owns property there.And judging by the way he’s standing?He thinks this room is already his.“How unfortunate,” I say.He blinks.Just once.Because that wasn’t the response he expected.“Excuse me?” he as
EVELESSA “Again from the top!” the choreographer calls.I don’t respond.I don’t need to.My body already knows.Already moves.Already follows.Because this?This is the one place I don’t have to think.No war.No shadows.No power plays.No expectations.Just movement.Just rhythm.Just me.My feet glide across the floor.Precise.Sharp.Controlled.Every turn intentional.Every step exact.Every breath timed.Because dance isn’t just art.It’s discipline.It’s control.That’s something I refuse to lose.“Evelessa!”I barely hear it.A distant echo.Irrelevant.The music swells—And I follow.Spin.Dip.Rise.Again.Again.Again.“Evelessa!”Louder this time.Closer.Still ignored.Because I’m not here.Not really.I’m somewhere else.Somewhere quieter.Somewhere simpler.Somewhere I don’t have to think about everything waiting for me outside these walls.The song ends.But I don’t.I keep moving.Because stopping?Means returning.Means remembering.Means feeling.And I’m not read
SERAPHINA The house has never felt like this before.Not even during war.Not even during loss.Not even when I hid my grandsons from things that wanted to devour them whole.This is different.Alive.Watching.Waiting.“She’s close,” I whisper.Michael looks up immediately.“How close?”I don’t answer right away.Because I’m listening.Not to sound.Not to movement.To something deeper.Something ancient.Something that doesn’t belong to this world yet, it is forcing its way into it.“Now,” I say.And everything changes.The walls pulse.Not crack.Not break.Pulse.Like the house itself has a heartbeat.And it’s syncing with hers.With Lira’s.With the child.“Everyone in position,” I command.No hesitation.No questions.Because when I sound like this isn’t practice.This isn’t caution.This is survival.Aristotle is already there.At her side.Of course he is.His hand wrapped around hers tightly, steady and unyielding.“Stay with me,” he murmurs.Lira doesn’t answer.She can’t.
CASSAIN"Hold up King Cassain, how do you feel about today's events?" Shutter lights go off as photographers and journalists face me at the entrance of the company's charity event and I walk away not bothering with a comment or retort; the company's pr team had insisted on having this event today s
CASSAIN The call comes at dawn while I'm lost in thought,Evelessa is still curled against me, one arm thrown across my chest carelessly, I don’t move when my phone vibrates. I just stare at the ceiling for half a second before answering quietly.“Yes.”Lucian’s voice is tight. “We found something
EVELESSA After hours of me being crowded by Aretha and Alexis, they finally leave and I exhale, planning to finally get some sleep; they’ve all been going out of their ways to keep me distracted from the abduction of my dad but sincerely it's mostly been of no help to me. I sigh and close my eyes
CASSAINNever had I ever been as scared as I have because of Evelessa; the world sees a calm level headed woman, I see a lose canon who would absolutely wreck the world if it doesn’t give her what she wants from itShe smells like metal and adrenaline when we walk back into the house as I find my m







