Celine POVJonathan doesn’t move his hand. His amber eyes lock onto mine, stern yet gentle. “You don’t understand. You’re pushing yourself too far. Do you even realize how much time has passed?”A breathless laugh escapes me. “Five minutes, maybe ten,” I say dismissively. My body feels heavy, sure, but not like I’ve been working for hours. “I can handle this.”“No,” Jonathan says firmly, his tone brooking no argument. He pulls out the journal and holds it in front of me, his finger pointing to a specific passage. “Read this. It says right here—when performing magic of this magnitude, time warps. What feels like minutes to you is hours to everyone else.” He looks back at me, his brows furrowed with worry. “It’s been over three hours, Celine.”Three hours? My stomach twists. Could that be true? It didn’t feel like hours. The exhaustion I brushed off as a minor side effect suddenly feels heavier, pressing down on me like a physical weight. Jonathan continues, his voice softer now. “You n
Sebastian POVCeline spins around to face me, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief. Her wide, stunned eyes flicker over my towering form, and it takes everything in me not to burst into laughter at the bewildered look plastered across her face.“Sebastian?” she says, her voice laced with hesitation, and then adds more firmly, “Where’s your head?”I can’t help but chuckle, the deep rumble of it resonating through my chest. “I’m right here, Celine,” I assure her, making sure the cadence of my voice is familiar enough to cut through the surreal moment.Her gaze darts upward, to the massive, draconic head that has replaced my usual human features. “No,” she says, pointing with emphasis. “That’s not your head!”I laugh outright this time, the sound warm and amused. With a small mental shift, I revert to my hybrid form—the one I’m most
Sebastian POVTurning to address the rest of the army, I project my voice so it carries through the hall. “Tonight, you have proven why this kingdom stands as one of the strongest in the realm. Your bravery and skill on the battlefield have once again secured our borders. You have done amazing work, and I am proud of each and every one of you.”The soldiers respond with a collective roar of approval, their pride evident in the way they stand taller, their wings unfurling slightly.“However,” I continue, my tone serious, “we cannot afford to grow complacent. While the exiled have delivered their message and are unlikely to attack again immediately, we must be prepared for the possibility that they may try to break through and reach Celine. I want guards stationed at every border, patrols doubled, and reports sent to me hourly. We will not allow them to exploit any weaknesses.”There is no hesitation in their response. A
Sebastian POV“It—” Diadri stammers, her gaze darting to Zokod.“This is clearly fabricated,” Zokod says, his voice rising slightly. “Our son died, Your Majesty.”“Did he?” I counter. “Because this photograph was taken the week after your son allegedly passed away. What’s more, there’s currently an underground operation selling children and adults with special abilities into slavery. The information I’ve gathered places your son directly in the middle of this.”The murmurs around us grow into shocked gasps. Zokod shifts uncomfortably, while Diadri looks ready to collapse.“From what I’ve uncovered, your son was sold for over 500,000 crowns,” I continue. “And then, coincidentally, your family came into money—insurance, you claimed. But that’s not all, is it? Monthly payments continue to arrive from the Werewolf Kingdom.”
Celine POVThe palace halls stretch endlessly before me, their grandeur amplified by the faint flicker of torchlight casting long, shifting shadows. The guard leading me walks with purpose, his steps echoing against the polished stone floors. Despite the beauty surrounding me, the intricately carved archways, the glimmer of gold trim on every doorframe, and the soft hum of enchantments woven into the very air—I can’t focus. My body aches, and my mind feels heavy with everything that has transpired.“This way, Your Majesty,” the guard says, his voice firm but polite as he gestures toward a wide, ornate door at the end of the hall.Sebastian’s bedroom.The door looms ahead, its surface carved with intricate dragons weaving through storm clouds, their wings outstretched in eternal flight. The craftsmanship is stunning, each detail so lifelike it seems the dragons could leap from the wood at any moment.Jo
Celine POVThe logistics of it alone make my head spin, but I nod absently, trying to piece it all together. When I glance up, I notice Jonathan watching me, his expression curious.“You were talking to your wolf,” he says softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.I nod, brushing my hair back from my face. “Don’t you ever talk to your Fae?”Jonathan’s smile fades slightly, his gaze thoughtful. “Fae aren’t like wolves or dragons. Our shifts are part of us, but there’s no separate consciousness, no voice to guide us. When Sebastian shifts, Helios can take control, and he can step back. When you shift, Luperca is there for you to lean on, to speak to. For Fae… we’re always in control. There’s no separate entity to connect with.”I tilt my head, processing his words. I’ve always assumed that every shifter had a connection like mine, a voice in their head that offered
Celine POVHis head tilts in curiosity, his expression shifting to one of interest. “Can she do that while you’re in your Fae form?”“She says she’s connected to every part of me,” I explain. “Apparently, it doesn’t matter what form I’m in.”A faint smile spreads across his face. “Then I’d be happy to meet her. She’s a part of you, after all.”I nod, focusing inward again. How do I do this, Luperca?Relax and let go, she instructs. Focus on me and allow me to step forward. You’ll still be there, but as an observer.I exhale deeply, trying to relax. The sensation is strange—like being pulled backward and watching from behind a pane of glass. My body moves, but it’s not me in control anymore.“Hello, Jonathan,” Luperca says, her voice richer and more commanding than mine. Hearing her speak out loud through me is disorienting.
Celine POVI feel the connection stir, pulling me forward. I push gently, taking control back from Luperca. Jonathan immediately notices, his smile softening as his eyes meet mine.“Celine,” he says warmly.I blink at him, surprised. “How did you know?”“Your eyes,” he says simply. “They shifted slightly. And your posture—it’s different. It’s easy to tell when you and Luperca change places.”His attentiveness makes me smile. “You notice everything, don’t you?” Without waiting for an answer, I tug him toward the bed. “Let’s just watch a movie. I want to relax.”He chuckles softly and nods, settling beside me as we put something on. His arm wraps around me, pulling me closer, and the warmth of his presence lulls me into a comfortable haze. As the movie plays, I find myself drifting, the weight of exhaustion pulling me under. I don’t figh
Celine POV“Helios,” I murmur, meeting his fiery gaze. “I’m sorry for shouting and demanding Sebastian, but you brought me to a cave.” I gesture at the dark, confined space around us. “We were right outside the castle, and you brought me here. Why?”“Mine,” he growls, his deep voice shaking the walls.I roll my eyes, a laugh escaping despite the absurdity of the situation. “Yes, I get it. I’m yours. But why the cave?”Instead of answering, Helios tightens his hold on me, his possessive nature glaringly obvious. I attempt to wiggle free, but his grip only grows firmer. “Helios, seriously, talk to me!” My body trembles, an odd pressure building inside me again as the distance between us momentarily increases.“Mine,” he growls again, dragging me back to him with a low snarl. His eyes burn with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.“Fine, yours,” I mutter, throwing my hands up in mock defeat. “But that doesn’t explain why you dragged me out here to live in a dragon bachelor pad
Celine POVI jolt awake, my body already mid-shift, scales rippling over my skin, wings unfurling, and claws extending before I can even process what’s happening. Panic claws at my chest, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.I’m fully in my dragon form, the foreign weight of it pressing down on me. Nothing feels right. The room feels constricting, too small to contain this body. My mind races, trying to understand what’s going on. This wasn’t a voluntary shift. It couldn’t be. Someone must have used magic to force this. But who? Why?I stumble toward the door, instinct driving me to escape, but something makes me stop short. My claws dig into the floor as I hesitate, my chest heaving with shallow breaths. No. If someone is outside, using magic to force this shift, I could be walking into a trap. I shake my head, stepping back, my tail knocking into a chair and sending it clattering to the floor.Calm down, Luperca’s voice cuts through my rising panic, her tone soothing but firm.
Jonathan POVAs I turn to leave, Dolton appears at the door. “Jonathan, can I have a word?” he asks, his tone serious.I nod, addressing the servants one last time. “Follow the updates. You’ve got this.” With that, I step out and join Dolton in the corridor.As we walk, his expression remains tense, his usual calm demeanor clouded by something weighing heavily on his mind. “Do you think you could find something in the journals—or anywhere—about Celine?” he asks.“Something about Celine directly?” I ask, puzzled by his vagueness.He sighs, clearly wrestling with how to articulate his thoughts. “Not just about her. Specifically about the Queen Goddess—how things are supposed to go when she comes back.”I stop in my tracks, turning to face him fully. “You’re not making sense, Dolton. What exactly are you looking for?”His eyes dart away briefly before he finally mutters, “Celine isn’t pregnant.”The weight of his words hits me like a blow, and I stare at him, processing the implication.
Jonathan POVAs a Fae, detecting deception is second nature. Sometimes it’s an overwhelming surge of certainty; other times, it’s a subtle, lingering unease that gnaws at the edges of perception. That’s why I volunteered to help Sebastian. In matters as grave as this, the ability to sense dishonesty is invaluable.Celine needs rest. She and Dolton have a lot to prepare for with the flight training looming. Meanwhile, I find myself standing in the shadows of Sebastian’s command center, watching him prepare to address the kingdom. Even through a television screen, his presence is formidable—commanding and unyielding. He embodies the weight of leadership, his mere posture enough to silence doubt.I understand why many in the kingdom are uneasy about Joseph taking over the throne. They’ve grown accustomed to Sebastian’s strength, his unwavering determination. Yet expecting him to rule until his body gives out is cruel. Even a king deserves a life beyond the crown.The crew signals their r
Dolton POV“So I’m right,” she says, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.I groan, leaning back in my chair. “Fine. You have a point. But Jonathan doesn’t need a dragon form, Celine. He already has two forms—Fae and Merfolk. You can’t give him another.”She chews her bottom lip, clearly already contemplating it. “But he should fit in too,” she murmurs, more to herself than to me.“Do you think he cares about fitting in?” I counter, my tone firm. “Jonathan is comfortable in his Fae form. That’s the side of him that’s most natural, most prominent. Just like for me—it doesn’t matter that I now have a dragon form. I will always feel more like myself as a Lycan. I didn’t feel out of place at that party, and neither did Jonathan.”She sighs heavily, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table. “Going forward, Celine, you need to talk to us before making these decisions. I understand you were scared after the vision, but you can’t change who we are without consulting us first
Dolton POVWhen Sebastian and Celine return from their outing, I take her hand and guide her away. Sebastian is occupied with the investigation into the dragons, and his decision to involve Jonathan makes sense. Fae are naturally adept at sensing dishonesty, making Jonathan an invaluable tool in uncovering truths. That leaves me and Celine with a rare opportunity—time alone, uninterrupted for at least a day or two.As I lead her through the corridors, I catch her puzzled expression. It’s not surprising. Earlier this morning, before she joined us, we discussed sleeping arrangements. Two of us sharing a bed with her? Manageable. Three of us crowded together every night? That’s where the line is drawn. None of us, myself included, are entirely comfortable with the idea of lying shoulder to shoulder in one bed.“Why are we going to the bedroom?” she teases, her tone playful as a mischievous glint lights her eyes.“Not for what you’re thinking.” I chuckle, shaking my head as I open the doo
Sebasitan POVArktos was different. Everyone knew about him.“Sebastian… Could they have used magic? Diadri did say they had someone who could manipulate how things appeared.”Her words send a chill down my spine. “That’s exactly what they did,” I growl, fury igniting in my chest. “They used magic to make Arktos look dead. Even to me. They fooled everyone, including Rosalind.”My hand tightens around the box, the edges digging into my palm as I try to suppress the storm of emotions brewing within me. Anger. Guilt. Betrayal.“They didn’t just fool you,” Celine says, her tone steady but fierce. “They took advantage of everyone’s grief. This is beyond cruel.”I sift through more of the papers, my fingers trembling as I uncover more names, more victims. My breath catches when I notice a column listing prices—Shadow’s name is there, along with Arktos’. The amounts are staggering.“Three hundred thousand for Shadow,” I mutter, my voice low and dangerous, the weight of the numbers chilling.
Sebastian POVHer gaze sharpens, and I see her resolve hardening. “I want to know everything,” she says. “About Shadow Binding, about my bloodline, about who I really am.”I smile faintly, pride swelling in my chest. “And I’ll tell you everything, Celine. But for now, you need to focus on the meeting with the elders. There’s more to uncover, and you’ll need your strength for what’s to come.”“So... they’re immortal?” she asks, leaning in slightly.“In a sense, yes. They don’t age, and they heal quickly. But they aren’t invincible. Sunlight is deadly to them. Direct exposure burns them alive within minutes. That’s why Shadow’s blood is so significant. It gives them temporary immunity to sunlight—a way to walk in the day without fear.”Her eyes widen in realization. “And that’s why she’s so rare?”“Exactly,” I say, nodding. “Dragon blood, for example, is lethal to vampires. A single drop can cause excruciating pain, and if enough enters their system, it will kill them. Merfolk blood has
Sebastian POVAs we leave the house and return to the car, Celine finally breaks the silence. “Vampires?” she whispers, her voice heavy with disbelief.“Yes,” I reply grimly. “Vampires. And this is just the beginning of what we’ve uncovered.”The tangled web of corruption spreads deeper than I want to admit. Each royal family remains in the dark about the depravity festering within their kingdoms, but whispers and evidence point to individuals in every realm—those who exploit children for their unique abilities, trading innocence for power or coin. It’s sickening. I can’t afford to trust blindly. I need to go to the Vaelers’ home personally and extract every scrap of information. The risk of leaving it to my guards is too high. If this rot extends further, any one of them could warn the guilty parties or destroy crucial evidence.Celine sits beside me in the car, her presence grounding me as my thoughts swirl. I catch her gaze, her brow furrowed in confusion and concern.“I don’t know