The first thing Evie noticed when she woke up was how different the world felt.

It wasn't just the warmth of the morning sun streaming through the large windows of the dorm or the comforting weight of the blankets wrapped around her. No—something inside her had shifted, something deeper than just her body recovering from the trials. Her magic thrummed beneath her skin, alive and eager, yet unpredictable. For the first time, it didn't feel as wild, as uncontrollable. Instead, it lingered in her veins, waiting.

A calloused hand brushed against her forehead, pushing back a stray strand of hair. She blinked, eyes adjusting to the sight of Rowan sitting beside her, his stormy gaze softening at the sight of her awake.

"Morning, princess," he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.

Evie's heart stuttered. The way he looked at her—it was as if she was the most fragile yet precious thing in the world. She opened her mouth to respond, but a groggy yawn took over instead, making Rowan chuckle.

"Sleep well?"

She nodded, but something in her gut told her she hadn't.

Because even as she sat up, stretching, she could still feel the remnants of something lingering at the edges of her mind—a shadow, a whisper she couldn't quite grasp.

Before she could think too hard about it, the door burst open, and the rest of the princes piled in.

"There she is!" Seth grinned, immediately moving to her side and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You look less like death today, sweetheart."

Duke elbowed him. "You can't just say things like that."

"What? I mean it as a compliment!"

Sol shook his head with an exasperated sigh before stepping closer, pressing the back of his fingers against Evie's cheek in a quiet, assessing gesture. "You seem... different."

Rowan nodded. "Your magic feels stable, but there's something else. I can't quite place it."

Evie frowned, pressing a hand to her chest. "I feel fine. Actually, I feel stronger. More in control."

The princes exchanged glances, but before they could question it further, there was a sharp knock at the door.

The headmistress stood on the other side, her expression unreadable. "I need to speak with all of you. Now."

The headmistress's office was dimly lit, only a few enchanted candles floating above as she leaned forward over her desk, fingers steepled.

"Alaric has disappeared," she announced grimly.

A thick silence settled over the room before Seth scoffed. "Great. That's exactly what we needed."

"There's more," the headmistress continued. "Since his escape, dark elemental creatures have been spotted near the academy's borders. They are unnatural, summoned by corrupted energy. And I have reason to believe Alaric is behind them."

Evie's stomach churned. She didn't have to look at the princes to know they were just as tense.

Sol folded his arms. "He's building his strength."

"Which means he's not done," Rowan added, jaw tight. "He's planning something bigger."

The headmistress's gaze flickered to Evie. "We don't know what he wants, but I have no doubt you are at the center of it."

The weight of those words settled heavily in her chest. She had known from the beginning that Alaric wanted her gone, that he saw her as a threat, but hearing it again—hearing the certainty in the headmistress's voice—made it feel even more real.

"I won't let him win," she said firmly, meeting the headmistress's gaze.

A slow smile curved the woman's lips. "That's what I expected you to say."

The meeting ended shortly after, and as they stepped out of the office, Evie could feel the princes' protectiveness wrapping around her like an unspoken promise.

She sighed. "I know what you're thinking, and no—I am not going to lock myself away and let you guys fight my battles."

Seth smirked. "I don't know what you're talking about, sweetheart."

Duke threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. "What he means is that we will be stepping up your training. No arguments."

Evie rolled her eyes but didn't fight it. "Fine. But if I beat one of you in training, you owe me something."

Rowan raised a brow. "And what exactly do we owe you?"

A playful smirk tugged at her lips. "You'll see."

Training over the next few days became more intense.

Seth's wind training turned into playful banter, with him constantly teasing her for not being "graceful" enough, while she retorted with snarky remarks that only made his grin widen. Rowan, despite being as tough as ever, secretly helped her stabilize her flames, his touch lingering on her wrists longer than necessary whenever he corrected her stance.

Duke turned training into a game, creating an elaborate obstacle course with water illusions that often had her running headfirst into walls. Sol, ever patient, guided her through the earth's whispers, teaching her to listen rather than control, deepening the connection between them.

Through it all, she could feel herself growing—not just in skill but in the bond she shared with them.

And yet... the whispers in her dreams didn't stop. ______________________________ That night, as she lay curled in bed, exhaustion weighing heavily on her limbs, she let herself relax.

The dorm was quiet, the faint sounds of the princes talking in the other room creating a soft hum of comfort.

She closed her eyes, sighing as she sank deeper into the warmth of her blankets.

But then—

A voice.

"You think they can protect you forever?"

Evie's breath hitched. The voice was too clear, too sharp, as if it were right beside her.

"You are a danger to them, little flame."

Her heart pounded.

It was him.

Alaric.

She tried to move, to wake up, but it was as if she were trapped in a haze, stuck between reality and something far darker.

"They will turn on you eventually," he continued, his voice almost mocking. "They always do."

"Shut up," she whispered, voice shaking.

A dark chuckle.

"We'll see."

And then, silence.

Evie gasped as she shot upright, chest rising and falling rapidly.

The door slammed open.

"Evie?"

Rowan was the first to reach her, his hands gripping her shoulders as he knelt in front of her. The others were right behind him, their faces filled with concern.

"What happened?" Sol asked, brows furrowed.

Evie swallowed, forcing herself to steady her breathing. "It was just... a dream."

Rowan's grip tightened slightly. "Not just a dream."

She hesitated, but before she could speak, Seth cupped her cheek, tilting her face toward him. "You're shaking," he murmured, worry flickering in his golden eyes.

"I—" She exhaled. "I heard him. Alaric."

The room tensed instantly.

"He was talking to me," she admitted. "He... he said I was a danger to you. That you'd turn on me."

Silence.

And then—

Seth let out a growl and pulled her into his arms.

"Bullshit," he muttered.

She blinked. "W-What?"

Duke knelt beside her, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. "He's trying to scare you, Evie. But we're yours. Nothing could change that."

Sol nodded, brushing her hair back. "No matter what, we will never leave you."

Rowan cupped her face, his gaze burning. "You belong with us, Evie. Always."

Tears burned behind her eyes, but this time, they weren't from fear.

She had never felt safer.

As she curled against them, letting their warmth chase away the shadows, she knew No matter what Alaric said, no matter what darkness loomed ahead—She would never be alone.

Later that night, after Evie had finally calmed, Sol returned to her dorm, a small object in his hand.

"What's that?" she asked as he knelt beside her bed.

"A dreamcatcher," he murmured, holding it up for her to see. It was intricately woven, the threads shimmering faintly with magic.

"Did you... make this?"

He nodded. "It's enchanted. It won't stop the dreams, but it will make sure that no dark energy can physically harm you while you sleep."

Her throat tightened.

He cared so much. They all did.

Evie reached out, her fingers brushing over the delicate webbing. "Thank you, Sol."

His lips curled into a soft smile. "Always."

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before hanging the dreamcatcher above her bed.

As she watched it sway slightly in the candlelight, she allowed herself to finally close her eyes.

And this time, when she slept, she wasn't afraid. ————————————————————-

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