Rowan stood in the center of the training hall, arms crossed, his fiery gaze fixed on Evie. His jaw was clenched, tension radiating from him like waves of heat. "Again," he commanded, voice sharp and unyielding.

Evie's chest heaved with exhaustion. Her muscles burned, her shirt clung to her skin, damp with sweat. Every fiber of her body screamed for rest, yet Rowan's relentless voice echoed in her ears. She wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, swallowing back the fatigue. He's been pushing me nonstop...

"Rowan—" she started, voice strained.

His glare hardened. "I said again."

Anger flared within her, mingling with frustration. Her hands trembled as she raised them, trying to summon her magic. Pale wisps of air swirled in her palms, flickering weakly before sputtering out. She winced. Come on... focus...

"That's pathetic," Rowan snapped. "Is that all you've got? Do you really think that's going to save you when someone's out for your blood?" His words lashed out like a whip, biting into her already fragile resolve.

Evie's eyes burned—not from exhaustion, but from the sting of his words. "I'm trying—"

"Not hard enough!" He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "You act like this is some damn school project. News flash, Evie—out there, people won't wait for you to catch your breath. You'll be dead before you blink."

Her heart twisted painfully. Each word dug deeper, pulling at insecurities she tried to bury. "Why are you being like this?" Her voice cracked. "What did I do to make you hate me so much?"

Rowan's expression flickered—something softer, regretful—but it was gone in an instant, replaced by cold fury. "Hate you?" He laughed bitterly. "No. I hate that everyone around you treats you like you're made of glass. Seth, Duke, Sol—they're all falling over themselves for you. But I'm not going to coddle you, Evie. Out there, no one gives a damn about your feelings."

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "So what am I to you, huh? Just... just some game? Entertainment until I break?"

His gaze darkened further. "I think you're someone too damn soft to survive here. I regret the day you walked into this academy if this is what you're bringing to the table."

Those words—I regret the day you walked into this academy—hit her like a punch to the gut. Her breath caught, chest tightening until it felt like she couldn't breathe. Why does this hurt so much? Anger, hurt, confusion—they swirled inside her like a storm, building... building... until something inside her snapped.

Her vision blurred as heat radiated from her skin. The air thickened. Her feet left the ground, floating as magic surged from her core. Her hair fanned out around her like a dark halo, eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.

Rowan's anger dropped in an instant. Panic replaced it. "Evie—no—" He reached for her, but a blast of wind and heat knocked him back.

Flames erupted around her—wild, untamed, fierce. They licked the walls, consuming everything in their path. The floor beneath her cracked, molten lines spreading outward. Her breathing was ragged, tears streaming down her face—but her aura flared brighter, stronger.

"Evie!" Rowan shouted, shielding his face from the heat. Goddamn it, what have I done? Guilt clawed at him. I pushed her too far... He tried to step closer, but the flames surged between them, forcing him back. His heart pounded in his chest. Focus—calm her down—

The academy's alarm blared—a shrill, piercing sound echoing through the halls. __________________________ Switch to Princes' POV

Sol leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he spoke with calm authority. "She's opening up. Slowly, but she is. Blossom's got more fight in her than we thought."

Duke chuckled, shaking his head. "She's stubborn as hell—but she listens. Learns fast. It's... kind of impressive." His grin softened. And she's worming her way into all our lives...

Seth, lounging against the headmistress's desk, smirked. "She's full of surprises. One minute she's stumbling over spells, the next she's figuring out things on her own." But beneath the teasing tone was genuine pride—and something else... something warmer.

The headmistress nodded approvingly. "You've all done well guiding her. Evie's becoming a crucial part of—"

WEEEE-OOOOH. WEEEE-OOOOH.

The alarm cut her off.

Every prince went still. Seth's smirk vanished. Duke's eyes widened. Sol's muscles tensed, a chill running down his spine.

Seth's mind raced. Evie. Panic clenched his gut. Without thinking, he bolted toward the door, Duke and Sol right behind him.

"Training hall," Sol barked. "Move!"

Please be okay... Duke's thoughts churned with dread. ___________________________

Evie's POV

The world burned around her.

Flames roared, heat searing the air, warping the walls. Evie's body floated, consumed by her magic spiraling out of control. Her heart pounded, a cacophony of emotions swirling—anger, betrayal, fear. Why does it hurt so much... why does he make me feel like this?

Rowan's voice broke through the haze. "Evie—look at me! You need to calm down!" His panic was raw. This is my fault... all my fault...

But she couldn't hear him. The fire inside her raged, fueled by every hurtful word, every doubt, every fear.

The doors burst open.

"EVIE!" Seth's voice—desperate, terrified.

The sight before the princes made their blood run cold.

Evie—their Evie—was floating in the center of an inferno, flames licking at her skin without burning her. Her eyes glowed, face streaked with tears. Rowan stood beneath her, struggling against the heat.

"What the hell?!" Duke shouted, eyes wide with horror.

"Rowan—stop the fire!" Sol barked.

"It's not me!" Rowan shouted back. His voice cracked with guilt. "It's her! I—I pushed too hard—"

Seth's heart clenched. Damn it, Sparks... what the hell did you do?

"She's hurting herself!" Duke yelled. "Do something!"

"Fire won't hurt her!" Rowan snapped. "But—"

"The smoke will!" Duke finished, panic rising.

Sol clenched his fists. Think, Sol—control it! He dropped to one knee, channeling earth to block the spread of flames. Duke summoned water, waves crashing against the fire, steam hissing into the air.

Seth darted through the chaos, eyes locked on Evie. Come on, Sunshine... hold on— His heart pounded in his chest. I can't lose you.

Rowan, breathing hard, ignited his own flames to push back hers. "Evie! You're stronger than this!"

Her glow flickered—magic spiraling, burning out of control.

Seth launched himself forward. Now or never.

The fire receded just enough. Evie's body dropped from the air.

Seth caught her mid-fall, pulling her against his chest. "Got you..." His voice broke. "I've got you, Sunshine..." Her skin was warm, breaths shallow. Rage and fear tangled inside him. No one touches her again...

Duke turned on Rowan, fury igniting in his gaze. Without hesitation, he punched him hard across the jaw. "You bastard!" His voice shook with anger. "You almost killed her!"

Rowan staggered back, wiping blood from his lip—but didn't fight back. His guilt was suffocating. I messed up...

"Enough!" Sol's voice boomed. His eyes were stormy, emotions barely contained. "We deal with this later! Right now—Evie."

The doors flung open. The headmistress stormed in, eyes scanning the destruction. "Clean this up!" she barked at the guards, then turned to the princes. Her gaze softened at the sight of Evie in Seth's arms. "Sol your affinity will help her , you know how. I will take care of everything else gonand make sure she is okay."

Seth didn't wait. Cradling Evie close, he sprinted from the room.

Sol grabbed Duke's shoulder, steadying him. "Focus on her," he said quietly. "We'll handle the rest later."

Rowan stood frozen, watching Seth disappear with Evie. I did this... His chest ached with regret. I never wanted to hurt her...

And yet—he had.

______________________________