The Celestial DimensionThe Celestial world consists of many realms and kingdoms, home to each deity. Each domain is made from enormous clusters of many different coloured crystals. Some are firmly set on the land, while others are on floating islands that connect with stone bridges. Each celestial home is just as beautiful as the next. Different colour orbs swim throughout ponds and rivers. The air glistens as if it’s always raining sparkles. There is no sun, which reveals millions of stars in the sky. Some planets are so close that it looks like the worlds will collide, but they never do. Even though there is no sun, the sky has an ongoing aurora that forever emits a glowing light. We know when the new day begins as the aurora changes colour at day's end. The Celestial world is so vast it can take months to travel to the other side. This is great for deities that don’t get along. They can instead stay many moons away from each other.Gods and Goddesses thrive from being worshipped a

NinaAs Kadva and I reach the bottom of the stairs, arm in arm, I immediately notice Magnus isn’t in a pleasant mood. However, he was happy when I spoke to him earlier in the hall. So, something must have happened since then. He stands leaning against a beam with arms crossed and a scowl across his face. Alec gives Magnus an odd look, wondering why he is in such a temperamental mood.I mind-link Magnus, ‘Is everything okay? You seem a little angry about something?’‘Why would I be angry, Nina?’ he replies sarcastically, ‘Is there something I should know about?’ he scoffs.I give him a confused look and realise everyone is watching Magnus, and I pull faces at each other through mind-link. I clear my throat and focus on the pack. I can worry about Magnus later.‘Are we ready to celebrate the midsummer solstice?’ I shout.Everyone cheers and follows Alec and Magnus’s lead. We all step into the portal one at a time behind the blacksmith's workshop and appear at Moon Crest Castle, where Si

We all halt and stare in confusion as haze forms in the distance and all around us. A thunderous roar echoes throughout the land. As Alec and Magnus stand on either side of me, I take their hands and hold them tight. I look between them with a worried expression.‘This doesn’t sound good,’ Alec says.I run toward Maia and place a hand on her shoulder.‘What was that?’ I ask.‘I-I don’t know. I’ve never heard anything like it before.’Damon holds Maia by his side and mind-links his warriors to be on the lookout. We can no longer see anything but fog. In the far distance, I can only make out the silhouette of something humungous coming towards us.‘What is that?’ I say, pointing toward it.Everyone looks in the direction and begins to step back.‘Nina,’ Alec says, ‘Stand back,’ he says with worry as he tries to pull me behind him.Magnus stands on the other side of me and smells the air.‘It’s not a scent of human, fae, vampire or any other species that I’ve smelt before. Whatever it i

Even though we are all exhausted, we have made it to the small village.‘This must be Mystic Pride?’ I ask.‘It is,’ Maia replies.Werewolves and humans exit their houses and race toward us to help as soon as they see their Queen, Maia, is with us.‘My Queen, what has happened?’ A lady asks.‘I come baring the most unfortunate news to you all, but first, my friends and I need food, water and rest,’ Maia says to them.‘And wine…’ Sir Hugo adds.We all turn to him, raising an eyebrow.The people of Mystic Pride face back to Maia for confirmation. Surprisingly she nods.They all bow and lead us under a large wooden pavilion with wooden tables and chairs. Bowls of fruit, bread and cheeses are brought out to us with jugs of wine and water that are kindly poured into our chalices. A boy carries a basket with wool inside and passes it to me.‘It’s for your pet to rest in,’ he says.‘Thank you, that’s so kind of you,’ I say to him, accepting the basket.I place it by my feet and place Reaper,

‘With all the monsters that have appeared lately, I would think you would be somewhat worried about what’s within those trees?’ I say, pointing into the darkness of the forest. ‘Maybe it’s best we don’t find out what’s in there. I mean, the sun is shining out here, and there are some patches of grass that Thypon has not yet destroyed.’I wander over to a half-shrivelled flower and pluck it from the ground. ‘See, this flower is only half dead. Let’s stay out here, out of the darkness of the forest and in the safety of the patchy grass and withered blooms while we wait for Sir Hugo,’ I say with a nervous laugh.Alec grabs my hand and yanks me toward him, ‘Come on, Nina. You’re the Queen of curiosity. It’s not like you to not want to have a peek at whatever it is in there,’ he grins.‘Yes, well, as you know. Curiosity has never been my friend, and I’d rather not be acquainted with it again.’Alec pulls me in even closer, his hot breath tickles the nape of my neck, and I melt in his arms.