Evie's breathing was steady, but the room remained thick with tension. The princes sat around her, eyes locked on her still form, waiting—praying—for her to wake.

Rowan hadn't let go of her hand since he carried her back. Duke's arms were crossed, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like he was restraining himself from punching a hole through the wall. Seth sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her with uncharacteristic silence, while Sol leaned against the bedpost, his fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to touch her, to confirm she was still with them.

"She should be waking up soon," Sol muttered, but even he sounded unsure.

"She looks so pale," Seth whispered, his voice hoarse with worry. "Why isn't she waking up already?"

"She's exhausted," Sol reminded him. "The bond takes a toll."

Rowan's grip on Evie's hand tightened. "I shouldn't have let her walk outside. I should have known something was happening to her."

Seth exhaled harshly, rubbing his face. "We all should have seen it coming."

Duke finally spoke, his voice low and tight with frustration. "She didn't tell us because she didn't know what was happening. And we didn't realize it either." He clenched his fists. "We should have been more careful."

A heavy silence fell over them.

Then—

A soft groan.

Their heads snapped toward her.

Evie stirred, her fingers twitching, her breath hitching slightly as her eyelids fluttered open.

The weight in the room lifted instantly.

"Evie?" Rowan's voice was raw with emotion as he leaned closer.

Her vision was blurry at first, but as her eyes adjusted, the sight of four familiar faces hovering over her made her lips curve into a small, sleepy smile.

"Why... do you all look like you've seen a ghost?" she murmured, her voice hoarse.

Seth let out a laugh—half relief, half frustration. "Because you scared the hell out of us, that's why."

Duke exhaled, shaking his head. "Damn it, Evie."

Sol placed a hand on her forehead, checking her temperature. "You drained yourself, sweetheart." His voice was gentler than usual.

Evie blinked. "Drained myself?"

Rowan nodded, still holding her hand. "The bond. It's forming."

Her mind was foggy, but as she processed the words, memories flooded back. Accepting them. Kissing them. And then...

She let out a soft laugh. "So, I passed out because I kissed you guys too much?"

Seth snorted, amused despite himself. "I mean, if you put it like that..."

Duke, however, wasn't in the mood to joke. He sat on the bed beside her, staring at her intensely. "You're not allowed to collapse like that ever again."

Evie blinked. "I didn't exactly plan on it."

Duke's jaw clenched. "That doesn't change the fact that I almost lost you again."

Her teasing smile faded at the raw vulnerability in his eyes.

"I'm okay, Duke," she said softly.

He exhaled sharply, his hand coming up to cradle her face. "You better be."

Her heart clenched at the fierce protectiveness in his touch.

Seth suddenly flopped down beside her, his head landing against her shoulder. "I hate this," he grumbled.

Evie tilted her head toward him. "Hate what?"

"Hate that I want to lock you in a room so you don't keep getting hurt," he muttered. "But also hate that I know you'd break out anyway."

She chuckled. "Yeah, I would."

Sol crossed his arms. "You need to rest for at least the next twenty-four hours. No training. No magic. Just rest." ______________________________ They turned as the door swung open, revealing one of the academy's royal guards. "The Headmistress requests your presence immediately. All of you."

Evie exchanged a glance with the princes before nodding. "Let's go."

The Headmistress's Warning The grand office of the Headmistress was dimly lit, the towering bookshelves casting long shadows across the room. A fire crackled in the hearth, but despite the warmth, a heavy tension lingered in the air.

The Headmistress stood behind her desk, her silver-streaked hair braided elegantly over her shoulder. She was never one to waste time with pleasantries, and today was no exception.

"I assume you all know why you're here," she said, her piercing gaze sweeping across them.

"We're going to assume it has something to do with Alaric," Rowan said, his tone clipped.

The Headmistress nodded. "He has disappeared completely, but that doesn't mean he isn't a threat." She turned her attention to Evie. "And I'm afraid his interest in you is far from over."

Evie's stomach twisted. She had known this wasn't over—not truly—but hearing it spoken aloud made the reality sink in.

"I don't understand," she admitted. "Why does he care so much about me?"

A long pause stretched between them before the Headmistress finally sighed. "Because you are unlike any elemental wielder we've ever seen."

A cold sensation crept along Evie's spine. "What do you mean?"

The Headmistress exchanged a glance with Sol, who tensed at her side. "We've always known you were powerful, Evie. But the way you harness each element, the way you've adapted so quickly—it's not normal."

Evie's lips parted, but no words came. She had always assumed her abilities were a result of determination and training, not something inherently different about her.

"You think I'm dangerous?" she whispered.

"No," Duke said firmly before the Headmistress could answer. "We think you're incredible."

Seth scoffed. "Alaric, however, doesn't seem to share our enthusiasm."

The Headmistress pressed her palms together. "We need to be prepared. Dark elemental creatures have been appearing near the academy, and we suspect Alaric is behind it. He's growing desperate."

Evie swallowed hard. "So what do we do?"

"We train," Rowan said, stepping closer. His gaze was fierce, unwavering. "We make sure that if he comes for you again, he regrets it."

Evie met his stare, drawing strength from the fire in his eyes. She wasn't going to run. She wasn't going to hide.

She was going to fight. ______________________________

That night, exhaustion pulled Evie into a deep slumber almost instantly. But it wasn't the peaceful kind.

The darkness around her was suffocating, thick and pulsing like it was alive. A cold voice echoed in the void, sending shivers down her spine.

You will destroy them.

She spun around, searching for the source, but there was nothing. Just endless blackness.

You think they will always stand by you? the voice taunted. What happens when they realize you're a threat to them?

Evie clenched her fists, magic crackling at her fingertips. "You're wrong."

A shadowy figure stepped forward, and her breath caught in her throat. It was her. Or at least... a twisted version of herself.

The doppelgänger smiled, tilting her head. You can't fight what's inside you, Evie. Sooner or later, you'll lose control. And when you do...

The darkness surged forward, consuming her.

She screamed.

And then—

"Evie!"

Her eyes flew open, and she jolted upright, gasping for air. Strong hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her. She blinked, her vision coming into focus to find Rowan and Sol kneeling beside her, their faces tight with concern.

"You were screaming," Sol murmured.

Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. "It was just a dream."

Rowan's grip tightened. "It didn't sound like just a dream."

Evie hesitated, the memory of the nightmare still vivid. But she couldn't tell them. Not yet.

"I'm fine," she whispered. "I promise."

Neither of them looked convinced.

Seth's voice cut through the silence. "Move over."

Before Evie could react, Seth climbed onto the bed beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into his warmth. "If you're going to have nightmares, you're at least going to have them with us."

A chuckle escaped Duke as he took the other side, his hand resting on her arm. "Agreed."

Evie blinked at them, her heart twisting in her chest. The way they surrounded her, the way they refused to let her deal with this alone—

She didn't deserve them.

But as Sol brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and Rowan exhaled softly, his hand lingering on her back, she realized something.

They weren't going anywhere.

And for the first time since the trials, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't have to fight this battle alone.

______________________________ I got first vote on my story!!! Yayyy🥰🥰🥰🥰 Thank you ZKareem1233