Celine POV
Nischola looks at me, her expression earnest, as I prepare the flower for the next spell. “Celine,” she says softly, her voice steady but filled with maternal worry, “please... the baby first. He’s more important than I am. If something happens to me, Joseph can raise him, but he needs to be free from this curse. I beg you, start with him.”
I glance at Joseph, who looks torn, his protective instincts warring with Nischola’s plea. His grip tightens on the baby as he nods, silently agreeing with her. My stomach twists, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me.
“Are you sure?” I ask Nischola, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes,” she replies firmly. “Do it for him.”
Taking a deep breath, I focus on the flower. The delicate blossoms tremble slightly in my hand as I remove one, its vibrant color seeming to pulse with life. Carefully, I crumble the petals between
Sebastian’s POVThe entire day has been consumed by preparation, every moment spent ensuring tonight’s celebration is flawless. After the kingdom’s months of uncertainty—questions of survival, whispers of despair over the possibility of Nischola’s death—it feels imperative to give the people a reason to rejoice, to breathe freely again, even if just for a night. Tonight isn’t just about celebration; it’s about hope.The weight of my press release earlier still lingers in my mind. I revealed just enough to the kingdom: the truth about the children being sold, the machinations of a powerful force from another kingdom. But I withheld specifics—names, locations—enough to keep the fire contained, at least for now. My focus is on reassurance, not panic. I made it clear that after a few days of respite, I will personally confront this growing threat. The people needed to know I was not turning a blin
Celine POVThe grand hall is a cacophony of low murmurs, flickering torchlight, and the faint metallic shimmer of dragons in their full forms. I stand with Dolton and Jonathan near the edge of the crowd, and I can’t shake the feeling of being out of place. Most of the attendees are in their dragon forms, their scales catching the light in dazzling displays. Their presence fills the space with an intimidating majesty, making our small, human-like forms stand out starkly. I feel their curious eyes on us, even as they whisper among themselves.Dolton’s arm wraps securely around my waist, his steady presence keeping me grounded. Beside me, Jonathan’s posture is rigid, his eyes scanning the room with the precision of a soldier. He is here to relax—but he’s assessing everyone, watching for potential threats.“It’s safe, Jonathan,” I whisper softly, hoping to ease the tension I see in his shoulders. &ldqu
Celine POVI slip past the crowd around them, my focus fixed on Sebastian. But as I draw closer, I stop abruptly. Standing before him is a tall dragon, his gold-plated neckpiece catching the light and marking him as someone of great importance. His posture is commanding, exuding the authority of someone who has held power for decades.The interaction between them pulls me to a halt. The older dragon smiles warmly at Tatsuya, pulling her into a hug. “You were as graceful as ever, darling,” he says, his voice deep and resonant. His affection for her is evident, and the kiss he places on her cheek is gentle, fatherly."Lord Arman," Sebastian nods to him.“Thank you, Dad,” she replies, her tone soft but filled with pride. Her gaze flicks between him and Sebastian before Lord Arman—the name echoes in my mind—turns to face Sebastian.“Can you give me a moment, please?” Lord Arman asks her, his voice kind bu
Jonathan POVThe room hums with the low murmur of conversations and the occasional laughter that ripples through the crowd, but I keep my focus sharp. My ears are trained for specific words, any hint of Celine, the Queen Goddess, or the Werewolf King. These gatherings are ripe with whispered secrets and subtle machinations—something I learned well during my years of service to the Fae Queen.I weave through the crowd, my Fae senses attuned to every tone and inflection. Snippets of conversations float past me, some mundane, others laced with intrigue. Yet, there’s no mention of Celine or her role as the Queen Goddess. There’s no chatter about the Werewolf King, either. What I do hear, though, is unsettling in a different way.“King Sebastian and Lady Tatsuya—what a pair they make.”“They’ve always been so perfect together, haven’t they? A shame they aren’t mates.”“They compleme
Sebastian POVThe realization that Celine blocked me hits hard. I hadn’t felt anything from her—not even a trace of her emotions. I assumed she was okay, that she was handling the evening as she said she would. But the absence of her presence through our bond, the quiet where there should be connection, tells me I’ve failed her tonight.Walking through the palace halls, my frustration grows. I’ve sent guards to search discreetly, hoping one might have seen where she went. This was precisely why I wanted to dance with her tonight. I knew asking her to witness me with another would hurt, even if she agreed. She insisted I follow tradition, and I did. But maybe I should have refused, broken the rules entirely, and risked the backlash for her sake.Stepping outside into the cool night air, I scan the gardens. The vast expanse is illuminated by soft golden lanterns, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone paths and lush greenery. The scent of
Sebastian POVI inhale sharply, preparing myself. “Before I left to save Joseph, I agreed to marry Tatsuya. At the time, I thought finding my mate was impossible. It was meant to solidify alliances, to do what was best for the kingdom. But that was before I knew you existed.”Her voice softens, but the words hit like daggers. “She would be the ideal queen, though, wouldn’t she?”“No,” I counter immediately. “You’re my mate, Celine. That’s all that matters now.”Her gaze sharpens, her next words deliberate, each one landing like a blow. “Not through choice, Sebastian. Answer me this honestly—if you’d had a choice before meeting me to make one of us your mate, if it was between her and me for your kingdom, who would you have chosen?”“That’s not fair,” I respond firmly, shaking my head. “You’re asking me to judge something
Sebastian POVI spot Dolton near the refreshments table, his arms crossed as he surveys the room. I land smoothly, folding my wings back, and make my way toward him.“She’s still outside,” I tell him quietly as I approach.Dolton’s eyes narrow. “Still upset?”I nod. “She’s calming herself. I think she’ll be fine, but this evening has hit her harder than I anticipated. She overheard some of the conversations.”“About you and Tatsuya,” Dolton says flatly, not even phrasing it as a question.“Yes,” I admit. “And Lord Arman didn’t help. She also saw... something when Tatsuya touched her. A vision of the past.”Dolton sighs heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. “She’s tough, Sebastian, but she’s new to all of this—new to your past, to this kingdom, and to the role she’s stepping into. This isn’t like de
Celine POVSebastian walks away with Lord Arman, his expression calm but his shoulders tight with tension. I know this announcement has rippled through the kingdom like a storm, leaving chaos in its wake. To most of the people here, it was a foregone conclusion that Sebastian would return and marry Tatsuya. She fits their vision of the perfect queen: poised, powerful, and singular. Now, everything they thought they knew has been upended.The weight of their stares presses against me as I move through the crowd. Some faces light up with smiles, their congratulations warm and genuine. But others—oh, the others—look at me like I’ve stolen something precious from them. The disdain is palpable, simmering just beneath the surface. It’s not just that I’m not Tatsuya; it’s the fact that I’m different, a queen goddess with three mates, a concept that challenges every tradition they hold dear.I finally understand
Helios’s POVI carefully take Clara from Dolton, cradling her against my chest as if she’s the most precious treasure I’ve ever held, and she is. Her delicate warmth radiates into me, a fragile yet unwavering presence in my arms, melting through the lingering hardness that once defined who I was. Her steady, peaceful breathing calms something deep inside me, quieting the restless beast I had always been.As I study her tiny face, with soft cheeks and a delicate nose, the innocence reflected there stirs something unfamiliar in my chest, a fierce protectiveness unlike anything I have ever known. The heart that once burned with obsession, possessiveness, and dominance now fills with a different kind of fire, pure and gentle. It’s startling yet comforting, reshaping who I am from the core outward.Instinctively, almost without thinking, I begin to hum softly, a melody from a lifetime ago, one I barely remember, yet somehow feels right to shar
6 Years LaterJonathan POV“Caleb, hold still,” I murmur, tightening my grip gently around my three-year-old son, who wriggles impatiently in my arms. His soft golden hair tickles my chin as he peers eagerly around the room, blue eyes wide with excitement. Aurora streaks past, her small dragon form shimmering in hues of violet and silver, scales glinting under the soft lights as she darts playfully around us.Celine laughs softly as she watches Aurora, her eyes filled with warmth. Sebastian stands near her, arms crossed over his chest, a proud smile on his face. Beside them, Dolton cradles his newborn daughter, Clara, just a week old, her tiny features serene as she sleeps peacefully against his chest.The room is alive with happiness, joy bouncing off the walls as we prepare for the celebration. I find myself smiling, my heart swelling. It wasn’t so long ago that I thought I’d lost everything. But here, surrounded by these people,
Sebastian’s POVThree months laterI’m flying as fast as I can, the wind cutting sharp against my scales.I left the kingdom earlier to meet Aarmon and collect two feeders for Celine. Her pregnancy has made her need blood more frequently, and I have no idea how she will be after the baby is born. I planned to return days ago, but Aarmon ran into issues with the vampires, delaying everything. Now I’m rushing back, and the only thing I know is that Celine has gone into labor.I abandoned the cars hours ago, there wasn’t time to waste. The soldiers will ensure the feeders arrive safely. Right now, the only thing that matters is getting to her.Helios pushes forward, impatient, and I don’t stop him. He’s always faster than me in the air, and this time, I need that speed. He focuses, his instincts sharper, his wings slicing through the sky with powerful strokes. At least this way, if we’re late,
Celine’s POVThe grand hall of the Dragon Kingdom is alive with celebration, the golden glow of torches casting flickering light over the towering stone walls. It’s strange how quickly everything has settled, how the chaos of battle has faded into something almost distant, like a dream that we all woke up from. The weight of it still lingers, of course, but tonight is not about that. Tonight is about the fact that we are here. Alive. Stronger than before.The past week has been a blur, filled with moments of reflection and change. Somehow when Helios takes control, I can hear Sebastian in my mind. It's strange but nice. Jonathan has embraced both sides of himself more than ever, his fae and merfolk magic flowing together like they were always meant to be one. Dolton has grown quieter, more thoughtful, as if the shadows that once burst from him still whisper at the edge of his mind, not in a bad way though. Leif is adjusting, still finding his place among us
Sebastian POVThe cars come to a stop, and I glance out the window, relief flooding through me at the sight of home.Dolton nudges my arm with a playful grin. “You should fly up with Celine. It’ll be quicker than waiting in the cars.”I shake my head firmly. “No, we should all arrive together.”Dolton’s smirk widens, mischief clear in his eyes. “Alright, then how about Helios takes her up instead? I’m sure he’d love to stretch his wings.”I roll my eyes. “How is that any different?”Dolton shrugs, chuckling softly. “You said you missed home. I’d bet Helios does too—this is his kingdom after all. Maybe he deserves to arrive first.”Before I can respond, Helios takes Dolton’s suggestion as permission, surging forward eagerly and pushing my consciousness to the back. My body shifts abruptly in the car, a wave of laughter erupting from bo
Dolton POVWe’re sitting in a clearing, resting before continuing our journey back to the Dragon Kingdom. The weight I’ve carried since the battle finally feels lighter as laughter fills the air. Around me, faces are relaxed for the first time in what feels like forever. Sebastian sits close to Celine, his arm protectively around her as people continue to celebrate her pregnancy, teasing him about becoming a father. Their smiles are contagious, and I find myself genuinely laughing alongside them.Yet even as I laugh, Julius remains uneasy, pacing restlessly inside my mind. I try to push the unease away, but it’s difficult when Julius is this restless. I glance over to Leif, sitting quietly, staring off into the trees. There’s still so much I don’t know about him, so much he probably doesn’t even know about himself.Leaning closer, I nudge his shoulder gently. “You okay?”Leif blinks, pulled from his thoughts
Jonathan POVI sit alone in the quiet car, the journals spread across my lap. My fingers flip through the pages slowly, frustration building with every page turn. I’d told the others I needed silence to focus, but the truth is, I just didn’t want them to see how much this is getting to me.I’m trying to find answers for Dolton, something that can explain what’s happening to him, but each page I read feels emptier than the last. My heart thuds with a heavy anxiety as I rub my temples.There’s almost nothing here about Lycans. The few mentions I’ve found are vague or useless, and there’s not a single line about the Shadow of the Moon or why there can suddenly be two Lycans. It’s as if the writers deliberately avoided the topic, which only makes me feel more unsettled.I lean my head back against the seat, taking a slow breath, and close my eyes. Dolton deserves answers, he’s struggling with something non
Sebastian POVWe left the Werewolf Kingdom first thing in the morning. I want to get home. I’ve spent far too long away from my kingdom; Helios is restless, and so am I.It’ll take about three days to get back, but since it’s only our group traveling, all my men can drive, which means we won’t be slowed down by walking. Dolton chose to ride in another car with Leif, wanting to spend some time speaking with him alone. Jonathan opted to ride separately, claiming he needed quiet to focus on reading through the journals.I understand why Jonathan turns to the journals for answers, but even I doubt they can solve everything. I know he’s hoping to find something—anything—to help Dolton. Finding out Leif is directly connected to him, even in death, must be overwhelming, especially when severing their bond might risk both their lives.Still, despite the circumstances, I welcome the chance to spend time alone with Celine.
Celine POVI watch Dolton carefully. He wouldn’t have turned bad, I know it. He wasn’t alone, he had me, Sebastian, and Jonathan. We wouldn’t have let him become something evil.Stepping closer, I gently slip my hand into Dolton’s, trying to calm him. He turns slightly, offering me a faint smile, but the worry in his eyes is unmistakable. He shouldn’t be worried; he has us.“You once mentioned feeling like part of you was missing, like something wasn’t fully there,” his father says from behind the bars, his gaze unwavering. “Do you remember when that began, Dolton?”“No, I don’t,” Dolton snaps sharply.From the other cell, Wes chuckles darkly. “It started when Leif was born. Come on, Dolton, catch up.”Turning sharply, I glare at Wes, and the twisted, evil man mockingly blows me a kiss. My stomach churns with disgust.“Leif is part of you,&