The moment the battle ended, the air in the arena shifted. The spectators were still in stunned silence, the whispers growing in the background like an incoming storm. Professors moved hastily, securing the injured student, while the academy's security worked to dispel the remnants of the dark magic that still clung to the dueling grounds.

But for the princes, all of that was secondary.

Their world had narrowed down to her.

Evie stood in the middle of the battlefield, motionless.

Her hands trembled at her sides, fingers slightly curled as if she were still feeling the remnants of the power she unleashed. The violet energy had long since faded, but it was like an echo—lingering beneath her skin, refusing to be forgotten.

Duke was the first to react.

He crouched in front of her, gently reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His golden eyes were soft, filled with worry.

"Sweetheart," he said in a low, coaxing voice. "Look at me."

No response.

She didn't blink. Didn't move.

His throat tightened.

"Evie," he tried again, this time brushing his fingers lightly over her cheek. "Say something, angel."

Nothing.

A shiver ran down his spine. This wasn't normal.

She was—numb.

His jaw clenched.

"Shit," he muttered, turning to the others. "Something's wrong. She's shutting down."

Rowan was immediately at his side, his piercing blue gaze scanning her face. "She's in shock."

Seth let out a curse under his breath. "No kidding. She just shattered a magical barrier and blasted a guy across the entire arena with a power none of us even knew she had. Hell, I think even she didn't know she had it."

Sol stepped closer, placing a warm hand on her shoulder. "Evie, little star," he murmured. "You're safe now. We're here."

She didn't react.

Her eyes were still locked on her hands, as if she were staring at something only she could see.

Duke turned back to her and exhaled softly, forcing a teasing lilt into his voice. "Come on, love. At least blink, or I'm gonna start thinking you turned into a statue."

Still, nothing.

His gut twisted.

"We need to get her out of here," Rowan said firmly. "Now."

Just as he spoke, the senior professor approached. His expression was grave as he took in the situation. "Take her back to your dorm. Make sure she rests. Once she's stable, bring her to the headmistress' office. There are things she needs to know."

Seth scoffed, eyes blazing. "Now you want to tell us things?"

Professors gaze didn't waver. "She was never meant to awaken this quickly."

Something about those words made the princes' blood run cold.

But for now, they had one priority.

And that was her.

Rowan nodded. "We'll handle this. Just... take care of everything here."

Without another word, Duke and Seth gently guided Evie out of the arena, Sol trailing behind them while Rowan stayed on high alert. ________________________ The moment they entered the Royal Wing, the tension in the air was palpable.

They moved in sync, each of them knowing exactly what needed to be done without speaking.

Sol carefully helped Evie sit on the couch, tucking a blanket around her shoulders.

Rowan immediately went to prepare some calming tea, the familiar routine grounding him.

Seth paced restlessly by the fireplace, running a hand through his hair. "I hate this. She's just sitting there, completely checked out. What the hell are we supposed to do?"

Duke, still crouched in front of her, cupped her face with both hands and rested his forehead against hers.

"Evie, baby," he murmured, voice filled with aching warmth. "Come back to us, alright?"

For a moment, nothing.

Then—

A single, small breath.

Her fingers twitched against the blanket.

Relief flooded through him, but it was short-lived.

Because the moment her eyes met his, he saw it. Fear. Not of what happened. But of herself.

Sol exhaled, crouching in front of her. His golden eyes were filled with nothing but warmth as he took one of her hands. "Evie," he murmured. "It's okay. You're safe now."

She blinked. Just once.

And when she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.

"I hurt him."

Rowan, who had been watching from a distance, finally spoke. "He attacked you first."

"That doesn't change what I did," she murmured. "I lost control."

Seth ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Evie—"

"I don't even know what I am anymore."

Silence.

After what felt like hours, Evie finally regained enough strength to move on her own.

She didn't say much as the princes helped her change into comfortable clothes, nor did she protest when Rowan draped a warm cloak around her shoulders before they headed to the headmistress' office.

She just followed, her mind trapped in an endless loop of everything that had happened.

By the time they arrived, the headmistress was already waiting.

Her usual composed demeanor was noticeably tense.

The moment the doors closed behind them, she didn't waste time.

"There are things you all need to know," she began.

Evie swallowed. "Like what?"

The headmistress folded her hands on the desk, her piercing gaze locking onto Evie's.

"You are not just an elemental wielder, Evie. You were created."

The silence was deafening.

Seth, who had been leaning against the wall, suddenly pushed off it. "What?"

The headmistress continued.

"You were never meant to be born through normal means. Your existence is... unique. A secret hidden for years. You are a living embodiment of balance—or, if misdirected, destruction."

Evie's breath caught. "I don't understand."

The headmistress exhaled. "It means that Alaric sees you as a threat because you are the only thing powerful enough to counter his darkness. You were meant to be the force that either restores balance—or shatters it completely."

The weight of those words settled into the room like a physical force.

Rowan's hands curled into fists. "And when were we supposed to be told this?"

The headmistress met his gaze evenly. "It was never my place to say."

Duke let out a low curse, rubbing a hand down his face. "So this entire time, she's been walking around with a target on her back, and no one thought to tell her?"

Sol's golden eyes were shadowed with worry. "Does this mean... she was always meant for this?"

Evie wasn't listening.

Her mind was spinning.

She was... a creation? A tool for balance or destruction?

Her stomach twisted.

What if... what if Alaric was right?

What if she really was dangerous?

The thought took root, and before she could stop it, she was moving—stepping back from them.

"Evie," Rowan said sharply, immediately catching the change in her expression.

"I just..." she swallowed, voice barely a whisper. "I need to be alone."

She turned before they could respond, slipping out of the office and disappearing down the hall. ____________________________ She didn't know how long she wandered before she found herself by the old training grounds.

The weight of the truth pressed down on her chest, suffocating.

She shouldn't be near them.

She shouldn't risk hurting them.

Her magic was already evolving into something she didn't understand.

She had to—

"Don't you dare do this."

She stiffened.

Turning, she found Rowan standing a few feet away, his blue eyes blazing with quiet fury.

"You don't get to push us away, Evie." His voice was firm but filled with something deeper. "Not after everything."

"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered.

His jaw clenched.

"You won't."

"You don't know that."

His next steps were swift. He closed the distance between them, cupping her face with both hands.

His lips brushed against her forehead.

His voice was soft.

"Then let us be the ones to catch you if you fall." ______________________________