ReynaThe back garden space behind the castle was alive with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of laughter. A canopy of twinkling fairy lights crisscrosses the sky, imitating the stars. The tables, adorned in deep purples, crimsons, emerald greens, and royal blues, stood out majestically amidst the lush greenery. Candlelit lanterns float in the air, illuminating the space in a soft, otherworldly glow. It feels like a vivid dream, suspended in a realm between reality and fantasy.The moment we stepped into the enchanting space, we were greeted by a chorus of cheers and applause. While we greet well-wishers with smiles, our hands entwined, a sudden bellow pierces through the festive atmosphere.“MATE!”The word echoes through the air like a sudden clap of thunder, causing everyone to stop in their tracks. The cry echoes through the air, and as I turn my head, I catch sight of Elemental Alpha Boreas of the Frozen Throne, his eyes locked on Amina. The crowd erupts into whisper
ReynaI pull at the straps of the harness and grin to myself, knowing exactly how Malachi’s face will look when I walk out wearing nothing but this. We’re back on our island home now, while our guests are staying over at Queen’s Court for the night. Although we’ve already claimed each other on our first full moon together, I still wanted this night to be special.Besides, I’m not only their mate now, but their Luna.I look down at the three intricate bands on my ring finger, and my heart soars. I didn’t think I could feel any happier than this. My protector, my heart and my soul– I am now irrevocably theirs.Taking a breath, I walk outside the castle to meet them, knowing tonight will be even more intimate than our first time together. The moon is radiant tonight, casting its silver glow across the secluded garden behind the castle. I should feel elated, overjoyed even, but instead, a strange sense of trepidation envelops me.I’ve fought beside these men, seen them in their most unt
ReynaI wake up, my eyes adjusting to the morning light filtering through the curtains. For the first time in what feels like forever, my mind is blissfully free of worries, even the dark shadow of Pyrra that’s been haunting me. I turn my head, taking in the sight of Cassian, Rune, and Malachi, all asleep, their faces relaxed in the tranquillity of early morning. I turn my head to look at my mates still deep in slumber, their faces serene. Last night with them felt different, more primal, as if they were claiming me anew. Every inch of my body aches, a reminder of how all three of them made me feel worshipped last night. An overwhelming sense of gratitude washes over me, settling in the deepest corners of my heart. These men are my rock, the calm in the midst of life’s relentless storm.Slipping out of bed without disturbing them, I drape a robe over my shoulders and walk toward the balcony. The door creaks open, yielding to the soft touch of dawn. As I step outside, the sea breeze
ReynaI can’t hold it in. A scream tears through me, raw and gut-wrenching, slicing the tranquillity of the morning into jagged shards of reality. My voice rips through the air, a desperate cry for something—sanity, forgiveness, a rewind button to undo whatever horror I’ve just wrought.Malachi and Rune burst onto the balcony, their faces twisted in confusion and growing horror as they take in the scene: my bloodied hands, Cassian’s limp body, and the ever-rising plumes of my purple flames surrounding me like malevolent spirits.Rune’s eyes lock onto Cassian and, without a word, he dashes over to check his pulse, his hands trembling as they make contact with Cassian’s wounded flesh.“Reyna, what happened, love?” Malachi’s voice is choked, tinged with worry and the bitter sting of impending dread.I look at him, my eyes wild, and instinctively envelop my hands in swirling purple flames. “Stay back, Malachi,” I warn, my voice tinged with hysteria. “I don’t know if I’ll hurt you too!”In
MalachiMy boots strike the floor in rhythmic echoes that boom through the empty corridor, the sound a physical manifestation of the turmoil inside me. The walls of the corridor seem to close in, much like the walls of dread and confusion closing in around my thoughts. Reyna is gone, and this time I’m not sure if we can get her back.As I pace back and forth outside Cassian’s hospital room, I can’t help but feel trapped in a swirl of emotions at war with each other — fury at Pyrra, guilt for not being able to protect Reyna, and a relentless, gnawing worry for Cassian. The air clings to my skin like a heavy, oppressive blanket, carrying the weight of my heartache and dread. I can’t shake the image of Reyna, her flames wild like her eyes, filled with a despair so deep that it swallowed her whole. Could I have stopped her? My mind races in futile circles, endlessly replaying that last moment when she looked at me, her eyes so full of love and so devoid of hope.What if she becomes the
RuneI close my eyes, leaning into our mind link, the connection that has always been an open channel between the four of us. But now it feels like I’m throwing pebbles into a void, each one falling farther and farther without the familiar bounce back of his consciousness. The link is stretched thin, fragile as spider silk, and I’m terrified that one more tug will snap it.Opening my eyes, I see Cassian’s chest rise and fall in a slow rhythm, and the evidence of Reyna’s outburst marks his skin in cruel, scorched patterns. Despite the treatments and his Alpha blood working to heal him, the wounds look agonisingly raw. Whatever Reyna, or Pyrra, did to him, it was worse than any harm that’s come to me or anyone else we know.Her powers singed Cassian’s insides to a degree I’ve never seen before—not even when I was at the receiving end of her accidental outbursts. The burns are deeper, the tissue damage extensive, the healing infuriatingly slow despite Cassian’s Alpha Blood.The door ope
MalachiThe tension in the room is thick enough to cut with a knife. Cassian lies in the intensive care unit, his condition stable but still far from reassuring. Rune and I had been bouncing strategies back and forth for hours. His eyes are bloodshot, evidence of the sleepless night we’ve both had. He sits across from me, his fingers nervously drumming on the table.“We can’t just sit here, Kai,” Rune finally breaks the silence, frustration lacing his voice. “It feels like we’re wasting time right now!”“I know,” I say, locking eyes with him. “But charging in blindly could make things worse for everyone, especially Reyna.”He leans back, scrubbing his face with both hands before running his fingers through his dishevelled hair. “I know, I know. It’s just... watching Cassian like this, it’s a grim reminder of what we’re up against. And what she’s up against.”I get up and walk over to him, drawing my hand to his throat and squeezing gently. His eyes close and he breathes out a heavy si
ReynaIn this endless void, there is no up or down, and I feel weightless and disoriented. I am surrounded by a deafening silence, as if the world has stopped turning. The flames have gone dormant, subsiding to a mere flicker. I’m alone with my thoughts, each one dripping with regret and self-loathing.I close my eyes and surrender to memories. In this isolation, they offer momentary refuge. I remember laughing with Cassian as he attempted to teach me how to use a gun, but I freaked out as soon as the first bullet shot. His laughter, melodious like a song I could listen to for an eternity, resounds in my mind.Then there’s Rune, teaching me the secrets of the celestial constellations, weaving myths and love stories among the stars. “See that cluster there? It’s called Lyra,” he’d whispered, his voice so full with awe reserved for something truly wondrous. “It’s the harp that plays the music of the gods.”And Malachi... oh, Malachi. Every stolen moment with him seemed to ripple through
As the vibrant festival rages around them, filled with music and laughter, Rhiannon stands slightly apart, her gaze fixed on the group that forms the cornerstone of her new life. There, amidst a crowd of revellers, her three mates and three fathers converse, a symbol of newfound peace and acceptance. The speeches have been made, and the collective acceptance of Rhiannon’s unique bond with her dragon mates has marked a significant milestone in their lives. While her brothers, Micah, Rhys, and Caelum, maintained a facade of politeness, their underlying discomfort was palpable. Rhiannon understood their protectiveness; they were her older brothers, after all. It was their instinct to shield her, yet here she was, needing no protection from the men they were wary of. From the corner of the gathering, she noticed Soren engaging Caelum in what appeared to be a serious yet respectful discussion. The way Caelum’s posture shifted, easing from stiff disapproval to reluctant acknowledgment, s
RhiannonStanding on the soft sands of our island, the sound of the waves gently crashing against the shore sets a calming backdrop. I watch the sky anxiously; waiting for the small aircraft that’s bringing my parents to our home. Soren had extended the invitation to our island as a gesture of goodwill and trust. Despite the turmoil of our last encounter, I feel a budding hope that today will mark a new beginning.Sensing my unease, Soren squeezes my hand reassuringly. “They’ll see. Everything’s going to be alright,” he murmurs, but I can tell he’s just as anxious.The plane touches down with a soft whirr, and my heart skips as I see my parents disembark. My mother spots me and immediately rushes over, her arms wide open. As she wraps me in a tight embrace, tears well up in my eyes, and soon we’re both crying, holding each other after the painful uncertainty of the past weeks.“Oh, Rhiannon,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ve been so worried, so scared!”My fathers s
IvarSpeaking to Rhiannon about reconciling with her parents did not go as planned, so we’re taking things into our own hands.As we fly toward the secluded meeting spot, the weight of the upcoming discussion presses heavily on my mind. Gavriel, Soren, and I shift back into our human forms just as we land, slipping into sweatpants for a semblance of normalcy as we prepare to face Rhiannon’s fathers: Rune, Malachi, and Cassian.The tension is palpable as we approach them. Rune, always the silent type, gives us a nod, while Malachi’s expression is guarded, his temperament more volatile. Cassian, known for his strategic mind, watches us with calculated interest.“We appreciate you meeting us here, without Rhiannon,” I start, my voice steady despite the churn of emotions inside me. “There’s something important we need to discuss.”Malachi crosses his arms, his brow furrowing. “And what’s so important that Rhiannon couldn’t be here?”“It’s about her,” Soren interjects, stepping slightly fo
RhiannonAs I feel the fabric of the blindfold tighten gently around my eyes, Ivar’s warm breath tickles my ear. “Trust me, Rhi. You’re going to love this,” he whispers, his voice a soothing blend of mystery and reassurance.“Where are you taking me?” I ask, half-excited, half-anxious as he guides me by the hand. Each step crunches softly underfoot, the unmistakable scent of the forest growing stronger with every breath. My heart races, not just from the blindfold and the unknown, but from the anticipation of whatever Ivar has planned.“Just a little further,” he teases, his usual light-hearted chuckle making it harder to fret about where we’re going. “You don’t always need to see the path to enjoy where it leads.”Despite my nervousness, I smile, squeezing his hand. “If this is another one of your cooking experiments, I swear…”He laughs, stopping us both. “No cooking this time. I promise.” He leans in, kissing the side of my head gently. “Okay, ready?”The anticipation is a knot in
SorenCircling the island, I stretch out my wings, feeling the wind rush through my scales as I survey the boundaries of our territory. It’s a routine patrol, but today, my mind is restless, preoccupied with thoughts of Rhiannon. Since the disastrous meeting with her parents, there’s a heaviness in her that I feel deep in my bones—a shared ache, thanks to the mate bond, that tells me her heart isn’t just bruised, it’s shattered. She puts on a brave face, dismisses it with a wave and a joke, but I know better.Shifting back to my human form with a practised ease, I pull on a pair of shorts just as I see her approaching. The sight of her—in a simple white cotton dress, barefoot, her hair catching the light of the setting sun—tightens something in my chest.Before she can say anything, I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms, and kiss the side of her head—a gesture of comfort I hope she can still find solace in. “How are you doing?” I ask, though the answer is written
RhiannonThe cold shock of being torn from Soren’s embrace cuts through me, my screams shattering the stillness as I reach out for him, for any of them, only to find my hands grasping at empty air. The ground rushes up to meet me, and as I scramble to my feet, my eyes lock onto my parents, standing a few feet away, their expressions a mix of concern and something darker.“What have you done?!” I shout at my parents, staring into their faces, searching for some hint of remorse, of understanding. “Why would you do this?”My father, Cassian, stands firm, his expression a mask of regret and resolve. “We did what we had to, Rhiannon. They took you from us and we had no idea if this was a trap or not. We’re just taking you back.”“Taking me back?” I echo, incredulity sharpening my voice to a cutting edge. “You call this a rescue? I chose to be with them!”My mother reaches out, her touch meant to soothe, but it only fans the flames of my anger. “Darling, please, try to understand. We’re ju
GavrielIn our war room, the atmosphere is charged, a blend of anticipation and underlying tension. The response from Rhiannon’s parents has arrived, a beacon of hope amid the uncertainty that’s shrouded us for so long. They’re willing to meet, a first step on the treacherous path towards peace. Rhiannon is asleep, unaware of the developments, and here we are, planning every detail of our departure tomorrow, prepared for every eventuality, even an attack.“I can’t believe they actually agreed,” Ivar comments, leaning back in his chair, the nonchalance in his voice not quite reaching his eyes. He’s been off lately, the usual lightness of his wit shadowed by the weight of our situation. “This is good, right?”Soren, leaning heavily against the table, runs a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “Yeah, willing to meet or set a damn trap. We can’t rule anything out.”He’s right. Our isolation, by choice and circumstance, has always been our strength and our vulnerability. Now,
Rhiannon Sitting across from Ivar, Gavriel, and Soren, I’m completely nervous and out of my depth. We’re about to discuss something that could change the course of our lives forever. “We need to talk to my parents,” I start, diving straight into the heart of the matter. “And I mean really talk. Not through messages or mediators, but face-to-face, on neutral ground.” Ivar leans forward, his usual carefree demeanour taking a backseat to the seriousness of our discussion. “And what’s to stop them from launching an attack when we meet? Neutral ground or not.” Gavriel, silent up to this point, adds, “They’re not known for playing fair. We can’t afford to underestimate them. Security is a concern. We don’t know if your parents will come alone or bring an entourage. We have to be prepared for anything.” Soren, who’s been quietly listening, finally speaks up. “And there’s the matter of trust. We’re asking them to meet under a flag of truce. After everything, that’s asking a lot.” I can’
IvarStanding by the window, the early morning light painting the horizon in shades of gold and crimson, I find myself lost in thought. Last night we discovered something that turned our world upside down—Rhiannon is mated to all three of us. It’s a revelation that seems to defy logic, yet here we are, bound by fate, or perhaps the gods themselves, to be the bridge to peace between our worlds.For the first time in what feels like forever, there’s another person in my life I find myself genuinely caring about, willing to lay down my life for. Glancing back at the bed, seeing her there, tangled in the sheets, nestled securely between Soren and Gavriel, a smile unwittingly finds its way onto my face. It’s a sight I never imagined I’d see, yet it feels right, as if all the pieces have finally fallen into place.Soren stirs, the shift in the room drawing him to wakefulness. He joins me by the window, his presence solid and reassuring. We both stand there for a moment, taking in the sere