The dining hall was lively, filled with the usual hum of voices and clinking dishes.

Duke was already seated, leaning back lazily in his chair, while Rowan sat with his arms crossed, staring out the window as if deep in thought.

The second Evie sat down, she noticed the way Rowan's gaze flicked toward her—brief, but intense.

Her heart stuttered.

Did he know? Could he see how much she was struggling with this?

Before she could dwell on it, Duke leaned forward, smirking. "So, what's the plan for today, sweetheart?"

Evie blinked. "Plan?"

Seth shrugged. "We're still in training mode, but no intense sessions today. It's a recovery day."

"Oh." She hesitated. "Then... maybe I'll go to the library again."

Silence.

Then—

"Oh, hell no," Seth groaned.

Duke sighed dramatically. "Not this again."

Evie frowned. "What? I like the library."

Rowan finally spoke, his voice sharp. "You also like wandering off without telling anyone."

Ah.

They were still mad about yesterday.

Sol sighed, rubbing his temple. "No one's saying you can't go, Evie. But maybe just... take your phone with you next time?"

She winced. "I forgot it."

Seth muttered, "And we nearly lost our damn minds looking for you."

Her chest warmed slightly. She didn't deserve their overprotectiveness, but it made her heart clench all the same.

"Alright," she said softly. "I promise I won't do that again."

The boys exchanged glances before nodding.

For now, they let it go.

______________________________

Later that afternoon, Evie found herself in the gardens, sitting on a stone bench, lost in thought.

She wasn't alone for long.

Rowan appeared beside her, his presence quiet but impossible to ignore.

She glanced at him warily. "You're not here to scold me again, are you?"

He huffed a laugh. "No."

Silence stretched between them. Then, Rowan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Evie... can I ask you something?"

She tilted her head. "Sure."

His golden eyes burned into hers. "Are you afraid of what's happening between us?"

Her stomach flipped.

She opened her mouth to deny it, but the words stuck in her throat.

Rowan saw right through her.

"I..." She swallowed hard. "I don't understand it."

His jaw tightened. "What don't you understand?"

She hesitated, gripping the hem of her sleeves. "I don't understand why I feel so connected to all of you. Why I can't choose. It's—" She exhaled shakily. "It's selfish."

Rowan's expression darkened. "Who told you that?"

She blinked. "What?"

"That it's selfish," he said roughly. "Because it's not."

Evie frowned. "But how can I possibly—"

"You think we're not meant for this?" he cut in, his voice lower now. "That it's just some coincidence?"

She opened her mouth, but he wasn't done.

"Our elements balance each other, Evie. You are the balance." His voice was raw, edged with something she couldn't name. "There is no choosing. It was never meant to be a choice."

Her breath caught.

"I..."

She wanted to believe him.

But she was scared.

And Rowan saw it.

For the first time, he softened ______________________________ Not all eyes in the academy held kindness.

From the shadows of a grand stone archway, Professor Alaric observed the courtyard with narrowed, calculating eyes.

A man of wisdom and loyalty, Alaric had dedicated his life to the elemental kingdoms. He had watched over the princes since their childhood, guiding them with unwavering devotion.

But now—

His gaze locked onto the girl sitting beside Rowan.

Evie.

The girl who wasn't supposed to exist.

The girl whose power was raw, unpredictable... dangerous.

Alaric clenched his fists behind his back.

He had seen magic like hers once before. And he knew—when power like that went unchecked, it did not serve. It consumed.

Evie was too powerful.

She would break them.

And when she did, she would bring ruin to not just the princes, but to their kingdoms.

Alaric's duty was clear.

For the sake of everything he had sworn to protect—

Evie had to be removed. ______________________________

Unaware of the eyes watching them, Evie exhaled shakily, Rowan's words still echoing in her mind.

"There is no choosing. It was never meant to be a choice.We will talk to you about this after trials. Now give your best Sparks "

Was that true?

Could she really—

Rowan suddenly tensed beside her.

Evie followed his gaze, frowning. "What's wrong?"

He hesitated, scanning the courtyard. "I just... felt something."

A chill ran down Evie's spine.

"Like what?" she asked softly.

His golden eyes darkened. "Like we're being watched."

"It must be some guards doing nightly checks, lets go to the dorm, Seth will go on rampage if i don't get there on time" Evie added chuckling. ______________________________