Darkness.

It stretched endlessly around her, swallowing every flicker of light, every whisper of warmth.

Evie turned in slow circles, heart pounding, searching for something—anything—that made sense in the void. Her breath was loud, too loud, echoing around her like a cruel reminder that she was utterly alone.

Then, a voice.

"You don't belong here."

A cold shiver ran down her spine. She knew that voice.

Alaric.

Her fingers curled into fists. She couldn't see him, but he was here, lurking in the shadows.

"You think they love you? That they can keep you safe?" His voice slithered around her like smoke. "Foolish, little flame."

She clenched her jaw. "Shut up."

The darkness shifted. And suddenly—

She wasn't alone anymore.

Before her, images flickered like shattered glass—fragments of a nightmare too real to ignore.

She saw herself standing in the middle of the academy courtyard, power raging out of control. Fire licked up her arms, the wind howled around her, water twisted into violent waves, and the very earth beneath her cracked apart.

And then—

The princes.

Seth, his body limp on the ground, golden eyes dull. Duke, his once-playful smirk twisted in agony. Sol, reaching for her, only for the earth to swallow him whole. Rowan, his own fire struggling to contain hers before he was burned away.

"No—NO!" Evie screamed, lunging forward, reaching for them.

But the moment she moved, the vision shattered into darkness again.

"You will destroy them," Alaric whispered, right against her ear.

She gasped, spinning to strike—but there was no one there.

And then—

She fell.

Falling. Spiraling. The darkness consuming her—

Until she woke up screaming.

_____________________________

The warmth of familiar hands gripped her arms, pulling her upright. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she scrambled to ground herself, but the horror of the vision clung to her skin like a second shadow.

She felt the bed shift—more than one person.

"Shh, little star, you're safe," Sol murmured, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"You're shaking," Duke whispered, his hands wrapping around hers, grounding her.

"Talk to us, sweetheart." Seth's voice was unusually soft, his golden eyes flickering with worry.

Evie forced herself to swallow the panic bubbling in her chest. She wanted to tell them—needed to tell them—but as she met Rowan's gaze, the memory of her nightmare slammed into her.

The way he had burned. The way they had all suffered.

She couldn't let them know.

"It was just a nightmare," she whispered, hating the way her voice shook.

Rowan's eyes narrowed. "Evie—"

"I'm fine," she cut in, forcing a weak smile. "Really."

None of them looked convinced.

Seth's grip on her waist tightened protectively. "Your eyes tells us you are frightened. That's not just a nightmare."

Sol studied her, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You're not telling us something."

Evie hesitated, her heart clenching.

She wanted to tell them. She wanted to sink into their warmth, to let them erase the lingering shadows of her dream.

But the fear was stronger.

So she mustered up a teasing smirk and nudged Seth. "You'd like to know all my secrets, wouldn't you, golden boy?"

Seth scowled, but there was no real heat behind it. "Damn right I would."

Duke sighed dramatically. "She's avoiding the question, but she is smiling. That's progress."

Rowan didn't look convinced, but he didn't push further. Instead, he brushed his thumb over her cheek. "If you don't want to talk, fine. But just know we're here. I'm here."

That was what shattered the last of her fear.

They were here. They were real.

She leaned into Rowan's touch, then turned, wrapping herself into Seth's warmth. He made a pleased sound, his arms tightening around her instantly.

"Can we just... stay like this for a little while?" she mumbled into his chest.

"Of course, firefly," Duke murmured, rubbing her back.

"For as long as you need," Sol added.

"Or forever," Seth added smugly.

Evie let out a small laugh, and the sound seemed to ease the tension in the room.

They stayed curled around her, a silent promise in every gentle touch, every whispered reassurance.

And for the first time since waking up, Evie let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—she wasn't as alone as Alaric wanted her to think.

Later that morning, when they finally forced themselves to get out of bed, Evie stretched, feeling the tension in her muscles ease.

"Since you refuse to tell us what's bothering you, we're going to assume you need distractions," Seth announced. "And lucky for you, I am excellent at those."

Evie raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

He smirked. "How do you feel about pancakes, sunshine?"

"Pancakes?"

Duke threw an arm around her shoulders. "Seth insists on making breakfast today. We all know it's going to be a disaster, but he refuses to accept reality."

Seth scoffed. "Excuse me, I am a fantastic cook."

"You burned water," Rowan deadpanned.

Seth waved a dismissive hand. "That was one time."

Evie giggled. "Alright, I need to see this."

Seth's grin turned wicked. "Only if you sit on my lap while I make them."

Duke groaned. "And there it is."

Sol pinched the bridge of his nose. "We're doomed."

Evie, still laughing, let them lead her toward the kitchen, the warmth of their presence chasing away the last remnants of her nightmare.

For now, she let herself pretend everything was okay.