Evie's eyelids fluttered open, the familiar softness of the sheets beneath her, the faint smell of herbs and magic, and a soft warmth surrounding her. She blinked a few times, struggling to push through the fog in her mind. The pain was gone, but there was an unfamiliar weight on her chest—a heaviness she couldn't quite shake.

The first thing she saw was the worried faces of the princes. They were hovering over her, their eyes wide with an intensity she had never seen before. It was almost as if they were afraid to blink, afraid to let her slip away again. The sight made her heart twist, guilt and love mixing in a bitter rush.

"Evie," Rowan's voice was thick, his hand trembling slightly as he cupped her cheek. "You scared us... Don't ever do that again. Don't you ever go off and try to fight alone again." His voice broke at the end, his eyes searching hers for a sign that she was truly there, truly alive.

"We thought we lost you," Jace whispered, sitting at her side, his hand gently holding hers, his face a mixture of relief and sorrow. He kissed her hand softly, his eyes never leaving hers. "We... We can't lose you, Evie."

Seth stood at the foot of the bed, his posture tense, his usual fire subdued but still present in his eyes. "You made the right choice in the end, but you... you need to promise us something." His voice was low, dark with worry. "Never—never—leave us again. We can't keep losing you like that."

Sol stood by the window, his usual calm demeanor shattered. There was a softness in his eyes that had never been there before, a rawness that made Evie's heart ache. "You almost died, Evie." He swallowed hard, shaking his head. "You're everything to us. Don't you dare go off and try to do something like that again."

Evie took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their emotions wash over her. She could see the fear in their eyes, the vulnerability they usually kept hidden. She wanted to reach out, to tell them everything would be okay.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice rough from the ordeal. "I didn't want to hurt any of you... I thought I could handle it. I was wrong. I won't... I won't ever do that again."

They all exhaled as one, a collective breath they'd been holding for far too long. But it wasn't just relief—it was a mix of emotions that left Evie dizzy. She felt their love, their protection, but also their need to keep her close, to shield her from everything. And she would let them. She would never run from this again.

After a moment, a healer brought her some warm soup. The broth was soothing, and she drank it slowly, savoring the warmth it brought to her tired body. But after a few minutes, her thoughts shifted.

"What about my sister?" Her voice was quiet, but the question held a weight, a worry that made the princes freeze. "Is she... okay?"

Seth cleared his throat, exchanging a brief glance with the others before he spoke. "She's in a safe place, undergoing basic interrogation with the Headmistress. Just for safety, Evie. They're making sure she's not a threat. But... she's not completely lost. Not yet."

Evie nodded, her heart heavy at the thought of her sister, torn between the darkness and the light. She would never stop hoping, never stop wishing for her sister to be freed from Alaric's grasp.

"I need to get out of here," Evie whispered after a long pause. "I need some fresh air."

The princes hesitated but nodded, understanding what she needed. "We'll take you," Rowan said firmly, his eyes softening as he helped her sit up. "But slowly. You're still recovering, Evie."

Together, they guided her through the halls, their arms wrapped protectively around her, their gazes scanning every corner as if they expected danger to spring from the shadows. She appreciated their concern, but she felt a quiet sense of calm—the kind that only came when she was with them. The air outside was fresh, crisp with the promise of spring. The garden was peaceful, the sounds of birds and rustling leaves calming her mind.

As they reached a bench, Evie sat down slowly, the princes surrounding her like an unbreakable shield. They sat down around her, their eyes still filled with questions and emotions.

Rowan was the first to speak, his voice a low murmur. "Evie... before you passed out, you said something to us." His hand reached out, brushing a lock of her hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her skin. "You said you loved us. All of us."

Jace, always so gentle, his voice full of wonder, added, "You said you loved us... but now it's our turn to tell you." He knelt in front of her, taking both of her hands in his. "Evie, we've all been thinking about what you said. What we feel for you."

Sol moved to kneel beside Jace, his gaze soft but serious. "You're not just someone we care about, Evie. You're part of us. You've always been, even if we didn't realize it at first."

Seth stood just behind them, his presence overwhelming, his intensity matching the storm in his eyes. "Evie," his voice was low, but steady. "I know we've all been a bit... overprotective. But it's only because we can't stand the thought of losing you. We're here for you. Always."

They all looked at her, their gazes filled with raw emotion, and she felt the weight of their love—heavy, consuming, but beautiful.

"Evie," Rowan continued, his voice breaking slightly, "We've all decided, together. We want to be with you. Not just now, but for eternity. Whatever happens, whatever comes... we'll face it together. We're not letting you go. Ever."

Jace's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I love you, Evie. You have no idea what you mean to us. No matter what comes, I'll always be by your side. Always."

Seth lowered his head, his hand resting on her knee. "I'll fight for you. I'll burn everything down if I have to. But you don't ever have to fight alone again."

Sol took a deep breath, his voice steady, but his words still carrying the weight of his emotions. "You're the light in all our darkness, Evie. And we'll walk with you through every storm. I promise."

Evie's heart swelled with love, her emotions overwhelming her as she looked at each of them in turn. She reached out, her hand resting over Rowan's, her voice soft but firm. "I love you all too. I never thought I could feel this... this whole. You four are everything to me. And I promise, I will never leave you. I'm yours, forever."

With those words, the princes each leaned in, their hands reaching for hers, their hearts beating in unison. And in that moment, as the sun dipped low, casting a golden glow over the garden, they knew they had made the right choice. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would walk through the rest of their lives—united, unbroken, and with a love that was beyond anything they had ever known.

And that was where their story began.... ————————————— And thats a packup!!!!

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Should I write another RH ?? What story do you want next!!👀