The dungeon was cold, the stone walls echoing with distant drips of water. Alaric hung from iron shackles, his head lolling forward, blood trickling from his split lip. The air was thick with rage, suffocating and dark.

Seth stood in front of him, his arms crossed over his chest, the usual playful light in his eyes gone—replaced with something much more dangerous. "You thought you could kill her and walk away?" he hissed, stepping forward. He grabbed Alaric's collar, yanking his head up to meet his burning gaze. "Big mistake."

Rowan leaned against the wall, fire crackling at his fingertips, his usually cold demeanor barely containing the storm of anger within him. "You dared to lay a hand on her?" His voice was quiet, deadly. "You have no idea what you've just started."

Duke's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists, stepping beside Seth. "You wanted to take Evie out of the game? How about I take you out instead?" A wave of water formed around his palm, twisting and curling like a serpent ready to strike.

Sol stood slightly apart, arms crossed, his expression unreadable—but the ground beneath them trembled ever so slightly. He wasn't one to lose his temper, but even he had his limits. And Alaric had crossed them.

Alaric let out a dry chuckle, his voice hoarse. "You think you've won?" He lifted his head, his eyes gleaming despite the bruises. "She's too powerful. She'll bring destruction whether she means to or not."

Seth lunged at him, but Sol caught his arm. "He's not worth it," Sol muttered, though his jaw was tight with restraint. "He's already lost."

A knock at the heavy iron door made them all freeze. One of the guards entered, his face pale. "The girl—She's asking for you."

All their rage vanished in an instant. Without another word, they left Alaric in the darkness, his laughter echoing behind them. ______________________________

The infirmary smelled of antiseptic and herbs, a mixture of sterility and warmth. Evie sat up on the hospital bed, her golden hair tousled, her cheeks still pale from the blood loss.

As soon as the princes burst in, the doctor turned to them with a stern expression. "She's stable now. She can go back to her dorm, but she needs rest."

Sol was by her side in an instant, his large hand warm on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" His voice was softer than usual, laced with worry.

"I'm fine," she assured them, but the way her fingers curled into the sheets betrayed her exhaustion.

Duke exhaled in relief. "when the guard called I thought something happened to you"

Evie huffed, folding his arms. "I mean,I am not that weak"

They didn't waste another second—Sol lifted her easily into his arms, carrying her like she weighed nothing. "You don't have to—" she started, but he shot her a look that shut her up.

"Let us take care of you." ______________________________ Back at the dorm, the princes refused to let her lift a finger. They all decided to cook for her.

Duke cooked a warm meal, humming to himself as the kitchen filled with the rich scent of spices. Rowan helped him. Seth attempted to help but ended up stealing food instead, earning a smack on the arm. Sol tidied up, ensuring everything was perfect for Evie's rest.

After dinner, they all settled into the living room, a movie playing on the screen, but none of them were really watching it. Evie curled up between them, feeling warmth she had never known before.

It was Seth who broke the silence. "You scared us, you know."

Duke nodded. "We've faced wars, threats, betrayals—but nothing has terrified us more than seeing you lying there, bleeding."

Evie looked at them, her heart pounding. "I... I don't know what to say."

"Then don't," Sol said softly. "Just know we care."

She bit her lip, then hesitated before asking, "What... what does this mean for us?"

Rowan, for once, didn't hesitate. He sat forward, locking eyes with her. "It means we're yours. All of us."

She blinked. "But... but that's not possible. How can you all—"

"It's the way we were made," Rowan explained, his voice steady. "A soul as powerful as yours... it's meant to have more than one tether. We are bonded to you, Evie. All of us."

Evie's eyes widened. "So, I don't have to choose?"

"You were never meant to," Sol murmured.

A slow smile spread across her lips, and she looked down, her fingers twisting together. "I thought... I thought it was selfish, wanting all of you."

"It's not," Seth said, grinning. "It's kind of perfect, actually."

Duke tilted her chin up. "You deserve all the love we can give."

Evie's heart swelled, her chest tightening with something overwhelming and beautiful. Taking a deep breath, she turned to each of them, then hesitantly leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Rowan's cheek. Then Seth's. Then Duke's. Then Sol's.

Each one of them froze in shock, their eyes widening.

She smiled shyly. "That's my answer."

Seth let out a loud whoop, throwing his arms around her, and the rest of them chuckled, tension melting away.

For the first time in a long time, Evie felt truly whole. _____________________________

Just as the warmth of the moment settled in, a sharp knock at the door shattered the peace.

Rowan frowned and stood, opening it to reveal a breathless guard. "Your Highnesses," the guard panted, his face pale. "Alaric... he's escaped."

Silence fell over the room like a suffocating blanket.

Evie's breath hitched. "No..."

Duke's expression darkened. "How?"

"We don't know," the guard admitted. "But he's gone. And we don't know where he went."

Seth cursed under his breath. Sol clenched his jaw, the room seeming to tremble with his barely contained fury.

Rowan turned back to Evie, his eyes hard. "He's not coming near you."

Evie swallowed, gripping the blanket around her shoulders.

Sol placed a hand on her back. "We won't let him touch you."

She looked at each of them, her heart pounding.

Something told her that this was only the beginning.