The room was heavy with silence as Evie lay still on the bed, her thoughts swirling like the storm inside her. After everything that had happened—after the eruption of magic, after the destruction, the fear that had gripped her heart—she felt utterly exhausted. Physically drained, emotionally stretched. The flames, once wild and uncontrolled, had left her shaking, vulnerable. But the princes had been there, their voices grounding her, their presence reassuring, despite the chaos that had surrounded her.

Sol, Duke, and Seth, Rowan came back a while ago to feed me some soup . Now they were sitting at the edge of her bed, their expressions a mix of concern and guarded relief. Rowan, who had been a storm of anger and confusion throughout the incident, was now pacing, his brows furrowed in deep contemplation. Evie's heart twisted slightly as she thought about their interactions—the sharp words, the moments of strain, the way Rowan had pushed her to her limit. But there was a nagging sense of responsibility in his eyes now, a flicker of something softer beneath the hardness.

Evie knew she wasn't the only one trying to make sense of what had happened. The princes were struggling, too.

She shifted on the bed, the soft rustling of her sheets snapping their attention back to her. Rowan, who had been silent for a long stretch of time, took a step forward.

"I need to talk to you," he said quietly, his voice steady but his eyes uncertain.

The other princes exchanged glances, their protectiveness flaring instantly. Duke's jaw tightened, and Sol, usually the one to break the tension with a joke, remained unusually still. Seth, always sharp, seemed to be measuring Rowan's every move, every word.

"I'll be good, I promise," Rowan continued, his tone softening as he met Evie's gaze. "I... I shouldn't have pushed you so hard. You're not just some challenge to be conquered." His voice caught on the last part, as if the words were foreign on his tongue.

Duke's eyes narrowed, his posture tense. He stepped forward, clearly ready to object, but Seth placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but calming. "Let her decide, Duke," Seth said quietly.

Evie hesitated, her mind still clouded, but her heart instinctively pulled toward the sincerity in Rowan's words. She glanced at the princes around her—each of them fiercely protective, each of them struggling with their own emotions, yet none of them wanted to leave her side.

"I'm okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She nodded toward Rowan. "But... can they stay with us? I don't want to be alone."

There was a moment's pause before Rowan, his face darkened with a hint of regret, took a step toward her. He knelt beside her, his eyes searching hers. His gaze softened, his usual sharpness dimming as he spoke. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." His voice was low, sincere, and it struck Evie like a wave of warmth.

"I was so scared when it happened," he continued, his eyes locked onto hers, his hand hovering near hers as if he were afraid to touch her. "I thought I'd lost you for good. But I wasn't prepared for... how much I would care."

Evie blinked, her chest tightening at his words. "You were scared?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. The realization hit her like a wave—Rowan, who was always so confident, so driven, was just as scared as she was. The rawness of his confession made her stomach flutter.

Her heart pounded. "But... did I hurt you? With the fire? I didn't mean to... If I've hurt you—"

Rowan's eyes widened, his brows furrowing in disbelief. He quickly reached for her hand, gripping it gently. "You didn't hurt me," he said quickly, his voice earnest. "You're fine. We're all fine."

The other princes were silent, their gazes shifting from Rowan to Evie, a mixture of relief and concern in their eyes.

"You didn't hurt anyone, Sparks," Seth added softly, his voice like a soothing balm against the rawness of the moment. He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "We've got you."

Evie squeezed Rowan's hand, her emotions swirling in her chest. She was so used to fighting, to being alone, to keeping everything locked inside. But with the princes, it was different. She felt seen. She felt heard.

Rowan finally looked at her, his gaze still holding a faint trace of concern, but there was something else there too—something unspoken, something fragile. "I won't be rude anymore. I swear. I'll try... to be better. You're not just a game, Evie. You're... more than that."

Her heart skipped a beat at the vulnerability in his voice. It was so unlike him. And yet, it made her heart ache for him in a way she didn't expect.

"It'll take time," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "But I'll make an effort. To be friends with you, Rowan. I will."

The room grew quiet, each prince lost in their thoughts. They could see the shift in Rowan—he was no longer the distant, sharp prince he had been when they'd first met. He was vulnerable, open, and they could see that Evie had touched something deep inside him.

Evie sat in the headmistress's office, a cold tension hanging in the air as the princes gathered around her. Sol stood closest, his usual calm demeanor now tinged with concern, while Rowan, Duke, and Seth were silent, their eyes fixed on her. The air between them was heavy, each prince waiting for Evie to react to the revelation they all knew was coming.

The headmistress, who had always been a pillar of strength and composure, now wore an expression that matched the gravity of her words. Her eyes met Evie's, and with a soft sigh, she began.

"Evie, the time has come for you to know the truth," the headmistress said. "There is an ancient prophecy that connects you to this academy, to your magic, and, ultimately, to the four princes standing beside you."

Evie's heart raced as the words echoed in her mind, but she remained silent, her gaze locked on the headmistress. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing on her chest. Her magic... the prophecy... and the princes. What did it all mean?

The headmistress continued, her voice gentle but firm. "You were brought here for a reason, Evie. You are not just a student, you are the key to something much larger. The prophecy speaks of a woman, one who will unite the four elemental powers and bring balance to a world on the brink of destruction. That woman, Evie, is you."

A chill ran down Evie's spine. She shook her head slightly, trying to make sense of the overwhelming flood of information. "But... but why me? Why am I the one this prophecy speaks of?" Her voice was barely a whisper, filled with confusion and a trace of fear. "How am I connected to all of this?"

Sol stepped forward, his expression gentle as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Evie, your magic... your power is unique. It's unlike anything we've ever seen. You were brought here because your magic is the key to unlocking the balance we all need. But you're not alone in this. The princes are here to guide you, protect you, and help you control the magic that resides within you."

Evie glanced up at the princes, her heart pounding. She had felt a strange pull toward them since the moment she arrived at the academy. It wasn't just their strength or their abilities—it was something deeper. Something she couldn't explain. She looked at each of them, her eyes lingering on Rowan, who avoided her gaze, his jaw tight.

"Why do I feel so drawn to all of you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What is this... connection between us? Why does it feel like I can't escape it?"

Rowan's eyes softened, just for a moment, but it was enough for Evie to see the conflict in them. "It's not just you, Evie," he said quietly. "We all feel it too. The connection is... part of the prophecy. We're bound to you in ways we can't fully understand, but it's there. And it's something we'll all have to face, together."

Evie felt her breath catch in her throat as his words sank in. She turned to the headmistress, her eyes wide with uncertainty. "What should I do? How do I make the prophecy work? What does it mean for me, for all of us?"

The headmistress gave a soft, knowing smile, her eyes filled with compassion. "You must trust in yourself, Evie. Trust in your magic. And trust in the princes. Together, you will unlock the potential that lies within you. You'll need to learn to control your magic, to embrace it, and to accept the bond you share with each of them. It won't be easy, but you don't have to do it alone. You have each other."

Evie's mind raced as she processed the information. The weight of the prophecy, of her role in it, felt like an anchor in her chest. She turned to the princes, her eyes searching each of their faces for answers. They had been her guides, her protectors, but now they were part of something much larger than any of them had expected.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this," she admitted, her voice trembling. "What if I fail? What if I can't control my magic or the connection I feel to you all?"

Seth, usually the calmest of the group, stepped forward. His smile was soft, reassuring. "You don't have to be ready, Evie. We're here to help you every step of the way. The prophecy doesn't expect you to be perfect. It just needs you to believe in yourself."

Duke placed a hand gently on her back, his eyes filled with determination. "And we'll be right here beside you, no matter what. Together, we'll figure this out."

Rowan, who had remained quiet for a while, finally spoke, his voice rough but sincere. "You're not alone in this, Evie. We're all in it together. All of us. And we'll do whatever it takes to help you succeed."

Evie felt her heart swell at their words, but also a pang of fear deep inside. She had never been one to feel so connected to others, let alone to four different people. But as she looked at them—at each of the princes—she realized they weren't just her protectors. They were her allies. Her friends. And, despite the confusion, despite the fear that still lingered, she couldn't deny the bond that was growing between them.

The headmistress stood, her voice cutting through the air. "This is only the beginning, Evie. But you will not face it alone. The prophecy is clear—together, you will unlock your full potential. And together, you will face whatever challenges come your way."

Evie took a deep breath, feeling a newfound determination rise within her. She may not fully understand the prophecy or the connection she shared with the princes, but one thing was clear: they were in this together. And no matter how hard it might get, she would face it. With them.

"Thank you," she said softly, looking up at the headmistress, then turning to the princes. "I'll do my best. For all of you."

The headmistress nodded, her expression filled with pride. "I know you will, Evie. Now, go. You have much to learn, and time is of the essence."

As the princes escorted her out of the office, Evie felt a sense of calm wash over her. The uncertainty hadn't disappeared, but now, with them by her side, she knew she had the strength to face whatever lay ahead.