Sebastian POVThe journey back feels excruciatingly longer than the trip to our destination. Perhaps it’s the numerous stops we’ve made along the way, or maybe it’s the tension hanging in the air, pressing down on us like a heavy, invisible weight. Normally, we’d take to the skies—flying is quicker and less draining—but given the uncertainty of Joseph’s situation, we couldn’t risk leaving behind vehicles and supplies. The ground travel is necessary, but it stretches time in a way that gnaws at my patience.It’s been nearly twelve hours since Celine’s encounter at the lake. I glance over at her, fast asleep and curled up against Jonathan as he sleeps. Her breathing is soft and steady, her body relaxed, but even in sleep, there’s a vulnerability about her that stirs a protective instinct deep within me. Jonathan holds her carefully, almost reverently, as though he’s afraid to disturb her. It’s a sight that, surprisingly, doesn’t spark jealousy—just a quiet sense of relief. She’s stopped
Sebastian POV“We have a bigger problem,” I say, breaking the silence. Dolton looks at me, his brow furrowed, waiting for me to elaborate. “Calling all the royals from each kingdom into one location? It’s risky. More than risky—it’s a disaster waiting to happen. If the Werewolf King is working with the exiled, they won’t need to take down the kingdoms individually. They’ll take us out in one stroke.”Dolton exhales sharply, sitting back against the seat. “You’re right. It’s the perfect opportunity for an ambush. Gather all the royals, their key leaders, and their guards in one place, and we’re practically handing them the kingdoms on a silver platter.”I nod, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “We’d be fools to assume the Werewolf King hasn’t already thought of that. He’s been planning this for years, using his greed and cunning to sow discord. He won’t hesitate to strike if he sees the chance.”Dolton taps his fingers on the armrest, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Then
Sebastian POVAs these thoughts swirl in my mind, I glance at Dolton, who’s been unusually quiet beside me. The weight of everything we’re facing is palpable. Breaking the silence, I suggest, “We should stop for a break. It’ll be the last one before we reach my kingdom. Celine’s shifter needs space and air to recover.”Taking out my phone, I type out a quick message to the guards, instructing them to find a safe location to rest. It’s a delicate task. Outside the kingdoms, there are still scattered towns and cities, remnants of a world left behind. Most of them are teeming with the exiled—dangerous, desperate beings. Some places might be safe enough to stop at, but many are not. Trusting the guards to make the right call, I tuck the phone away and let out a slow breath.Dolton breaks the silence, glancing at me. “Any idea what this Pantheromorph is supposed to look like?”I shake my head. “It’s only ever been mentioned in stories. The assumption is that it’s a combination of all her f
Celine’s POVThe tension is so thick it feels like a living thing pressing down on us. Sebastian’s sharp, focused expression says it all—he’s ready to order us back to the cars after that eerie, childlike laugh echoed through the trees. The sound doesn’t sit right in my chest, and the rustling nearby sends a shiver racing up my spine.I step toward the sound, curiosity overriding my better judgment. Pushing through the trees, I move cautiously, trying to make out the source of the noise. Behind me, I sense Sebastian, Dolton, and Jonathan following, their presence both reassuring and heavy with unspoken concern.As we press forward, weaving between ancient trees whose gnarled branches twist like claws, something comes into view that makes my breath catch.A cage.It’s large, rusted, and covered in creeping moss, like it’s been here for ages yet still serves a dark purpose. Inside is a creature so grotesque and unnatural that my body freezes in place. It has the form of a human, but its
Jonathan’s hand brushes mine, a small gesture of comfort. “He’s right,” he says softly. “Your safety is what matters most.”Dolton nods, his expression grim but resolute. “We’ll get her to the kingdom, Sebastian. You won’t have to do this alone.”Sebastian doesn’t respond immediately. His jaw clenches, and his grip tightens on the steering wheel as the car races forward. Finally, he exhales sharply. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”The tension in the car is suffocating. Outside the window, the forest blurs past, dark and unyielding. The cries and howls have faded, but the fear they’ve left behind lingers like a shadow, wrapping around us and refusing to let go.The car barrels through the dense forest, the sound of the engine reverberating in the heavy silence of the day. The cries we heard earlier have faded, but the memory of them clings to me, chilling my bones. My heart races with every twist and turn of the rugged path, the bumpy ride only adding to my growing unease.Sebast
Celine POVMy eyes widen as his words sink in, panic rising like a tide threatening to pull me under. “So there’s no way to the kingdom?” I ask, my voice tinged with desperation. My fingers clutch the edge of the seat as I try to process what this means.“There is,” Sebastian replies firmly, his tone a mixture of calm authority and urgency. His eyes flick to Dolton and Jonathan. “But it won’t be by car. The road is compromised, and the cars will have to be left behind. We’re going to fly the rest of the way.”Fly? My stomach twists at the thought. I’ve never flown, and the idea of being carried through the sky sends a shiver down my spine. My instincts scream against it, but I know there’s no other option.Sebastian continues, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “I’ll take Celine with me. You two will need to let my guards carry you. They’re trained for this, and it’s the safest way to get to the kingdom.”Dolton exhales a long, frustrated sigh, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.
Dolton POVBeing carried up to the Dragon Kingdom in the arms of some random dragon was far from ideal—and even less comforting. But I did it, swallowing my pride and pushing down the simmering unease that came from thinking about the exiled creatures waiting below. The thought of what could have happened if we hadn’t flown up makes my skin crawl.The moment I step onto solid ground, the sight before me takes my breath away. The Dragon Kingdom is nothing short of magnificent. The floating islands rise like sentinels in the sky, their rocky undersides plunging downward into sharp points, giving the illusion that they’re suspended by sheer willpower. At their tops, greenery spills over the edges like waterfalls, and the intricate architecture that adorns them is nothing less than regal.The castle, the heart of the Kingdom, is perched on the largest island. Its spires reach high into the clouds, the stone shimmering faintly as if kissed by starlight. The bridges connecting the floating
Dolton POVSebastian steps forward, his commanding presence drawing everyone’s attention. The room is filled with his dragons, each standing tall, their wings brushing against each other as they await his orders. The glow of the torches along the stone walls casts long shadows over the intricate designs carved into the ancient floors—a reminder of the power and history of this kingdom.I stand next to him, feeling the anticipation ripple through the air. He raises a hand, silencing even the quiet murmurs. His fiery eyes scan the room, sharp and determined.“Here’s the plan,” Sebastian begins, his voice steady and authoritative, echoing off the towering stone walls. “We will descend first. The dragons will take flight and attack from above. Our sheer size, firepower, and numbers will scatter their forces, forcing them to react. But they’ll be so focused on defending against the sky,”—his gaze flicks to me—“that they won’t expect an attack from the ground.”I nod, stepping forward sligh
Sebastian POVAs we descend, I see him—Aarmon, the head vampire. He stands outside the castle gates, his tall, imposing figure wrapped in a dark cloak. His sharp features are illuminated by the faint torchlight, his crimson eyes narrowing as he watches us approach. His confusion is evident, his brow furrowing as he steps forward, scanning the scene with interest.Helios lands hard, his claws digging into the earth as we touch down just outside the castle. The ground trembles beneath the force, and a cloud of dust rises around us. I force him back, reclaiming control as my feet hit the ground.Aarmon tilts his head, his expression unreadable as his piercing gaze locks onto me. “Sebastian,” he greets, his tone smooth but tinged with curiosity. “What brings you here so suddenly? And in such a state?” His eyes flick to the figure in my arms, hidden beneath the throw.“Where’s your mage?” I bark, my voice sharp and commanding.Aarmon’s brow arches sligh
Sebastian POVEvery instinct in me screams to stop her, to call her back and tell her to save her energy. But I can’t. Not when she looks like this.She looks free.It’s a look I’ve never seen on her before, and it warms my heart in ways I didn’t think possible. The smile on her face is radiant, a stark contrast to the weight she’s carried for so long. As she turns and dives, laughter spilling from her lips, it’s like she’s shed every burden she’s ever known.I let her have this moment because… when does she ever get to have fun? When does she ever get to live?She’s ahead of me now, her movements light and carefree, but I stay close. Close enough that I can reach her if something goes wrong. There are still dragons out there—rogues and exiles—who might see her as a target, but I pray none are near.Her laughter rings out again, filling the air like a melody, and my chest tightens at the sound. She spins an
Celine POV“What did you see?” he asks, leaning closer, his eyes scanning mine for answers.“Nothing,” I whisper again, the confusion in my voice matching the turmoil in my mind.“You saw something, Celine,” he presses gently.I nod slowly, struggling to put it into words. “I… I saw nothing. It was just darkness. A really cold feeling, panic, and all these screams and shouts… but there was nothing to see. It was completely dark.”His head tilts slightly as he processes my words, then he nods. “Maybe you’re too weak to see the full vision,” he says thoughtfully. “Forget about it for now. Don’t try to trigger any more visions. I was only asking—I didn’t want you to actually try.”“Sorry,” I mumble, feeling small and uncertain. “I don’t know what happened.”Jonathan sighs, pulling me into his arms. I let myself melt into his embrace, finding a small comfort in the way his hand strokes along my back.The moment is short-lived, though, as the car door opens and Sebastian motions for me to
Celine POVI watch as Sebastian steps out of the car, his broad shoulders tense with the weight of his responsibilities. Dolton follows close behind, his head slightly bowed as though burdened by his own doubts. Inside, the tension lingers, suffocating and thick. Jonathan sits quietly across from me, his nose buried in one of the journals, his focus unbroken.Shifting, I move to sit beside him, leaning slightly into his space. “What are you looking for?” I ask softly, my voice breaking the silence.“I’m just making sure we have everything we need for this meeting with the elders,” he replies, lifting his gaze to me. A faint smile crosses his lips before he leans forward, pressing a kiss to my lips.For a moment, the world fades away—the chaos, the fear, everything. I lose myself in the warmth of his touch, kissing him back as I press closer to him, seeking comfort in his presence.But his hand gently stops me, resting against my shoulder. He shakes his head, his smile soft and underst
Sebastian POVCeline stirs beside me, her body shifting as she wakes. I turn to her and offer a soft smile, though my worry is difficult to hide. She sits up slowly, her movements heavy with fatigue, and looks between us. Her face is pale—too pale. Her energy is fading faster than I expected, and it’s clear she’s running on fumes.“How are you feeling?” I ask, keeping my voice gentle.She forces a smile, but it’s weak. “Perfectly fine. I just needed a nap,” she says, her voice thin with exhaustion.I don’t press her, but it’s obvious she’s lying. Her weariness is written in every line of her face, and I’m silently thankful that we’ve decided to prioritize the Vampire Kingdom. She won’t last long without the blood she needs.The cars grind to a halt, and I glance out the window. We’ve arrived? I told them to rush, but I didn’t expect them to cover the distance this quickly.“I’m going to discuss the plan with the guards. Stay in the car—it may not be safe,” I tell her firmly. Leaning o
Sebastian POVThis trip was meant to help Celine unlock more of herself, to teach her how to harness her abilities—to shift effortlessly and use magic with confidence. But she’s barely managing to eat, let alone channel energy into anything else.I watch her as she sleeps, her breaths shallow and strained. So much has happened in such a short time, and it’s tearing her apart, pushing her body far past its limits. She’s running on empty, and every moment of rest she gets is merely a fragile reprieve.“It’s a complication,” Dolton murmurs, breaking the heavy silence. His brow furrows as he looks at me. “How do we navigate her need for blood when we return to the Dragon Kingdom full-time?”It’s a question that’s been gnawing at the back of my mind too. Frequent travel to the Vampire Kingdom isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. The time, energy, and risk it takes aren’t sustainable. But without those trips, where else would she get the blood she needs to survive?“Maybe there’s a spell
Celine POVI can’t do it. I won’t drink blood. How could this possibly be right?“What’s your fear around vampires and everything else?” Dolton’s voice is steady, but his eyes narrow as he studies me.“They’re evil!” I snap, my emotions unraveling. “What do you think, Dolton? They kill people—they’re evil. They’re from hell!”He chuckles, the sound low and almost mocking. A smirk tugs at his lips. “No, they’re not. That’s just a bedtime story people tell their kids to keep them behaving, to make sure they don’t wander off. Vampires are no different from us—except they drink blood. Yes, there are bad ones, but there are bad werewolves too. Bad fae. Bad everything. Those ones? They’re exiled, just like anyone else.”It doesn’t matter. I don’t like this. It’s all wrong—twisted and unnatural. Totally messed up and wrong.“What’s your plan then? Ignore it and die?” Sebastian’s gaze pierces through me, unrelenting.“Jonathan got it wrong. I won’t die.” My voice shakes, but I try to sound co
Celine POVAs we left to meet the elders, exhaustion finally took its toll, and I let sleep claim me. The past week had been relentless, and no matter how many times I stirred, the weight of fatigue dragged me back under. Each time I surfaced briefly, I felt the gentle sway of the car and heard the faint murmur of their voices, but nothing they said lingered long enough to matter. It all blurred into the background—a low, endless hum.A chill settled over me, seeping through my skin and sinking into my very bones. Even in my half-aware state, I rubbed my arms over and over, trying to coax warmth into them. I couldn’t tell if I was doing it in my dream or reality; the line between the two felt too thin, too fragile. All I knew was the cold—relentless, biting, and unyielding.I fought to pull myself awake, to escape the growing unease that coiled around me like a predator’s snare. But sleep was merciless, dragging me down deeper and deeper. Flickers of images—shapeless, fragmented—flash
JonathanThe car travels at a steady speed; three hours feel like a lifetime sitting in this car. Traveling isn’t something I’ve done in years—until I met Celine.I’m reading through the journals the Fae Queen gave Celine. Sebastian and Dolton are still going through the boxes of information.We’ve not spoken, not even a word. No one wants to speak because that means acknowledging and discussing the risks involved in this.Sure, Sebastian is a Dragon, so we can get out quickly if there are issues. He can fly us all out—well, not him personally, but his guards and such.My eyes flicker to the car’s rearview mirror and land on the large truck behind us. That’s a sign Sebastian expects trouble. He has fifteen guards shifted into their dragon forms, sitting in the back of it.Does he really think something will happen to us? Clearly, he does, although I’m not entirely sure wh