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Another genuine chuckle broke free of my lungs. At least we could share that strange change. “Same. When Bomani called me Starvos, I was like, who the hell is that?”

Laughing with me, he brightened his face with a grin. “Well then, Alex… nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Starvos,” I replied, extending my hand. He took it, that same grin still plastered across his face.

Those two weeks cycled by so quickly that it felt like a blur. If I wasn’t training during the day, I was with Starvos in our dreamscape, catching him up on our childhood. I wanted to explore more of the memories he had stored for me, but he insisted mine were more important. If I were being honest, though, I think he just wanted to treasure those moments like he’d lived them with me. I was more than happy to explain all the fandoms I’d picked over the years, right down to how I lost my virginity. He didn’t appreciate that one, calling me undeserving of Valentina and acting like a “common slut.”

Stretching in bed, I woke from that night’s episode of childhood recollections. Valentina lay beside me, one arm draped across my chest and her leg locked beneath mine. She’d been growing more affectionate as the week went on. Temptation had been placed right at my doorstep each night, and I had to fight for my restraint. Now that Starvos had found himself preoccupied with memories, he’d calmed down with the constant urges, letting me remain in full control of my own impulses. Still, damn, it was hard, even with just my own will to wrestle.

The air was warm as she breathed against my chest. Each one cascaded down my skin in gentle waves, raising the fine hairs along my body. Letting my hand drift along her spine until it met her waist, I tugged her closer.

Nuzzling deeper into me, a sleepy smile curled across her lips. Val’s snow-white curls fell across her cheeks, veiling the bridge of her nose. The corners of her eyes crinkled as she fought to keep them closed. Slipping a finger beneath her chin, I gently tilted her face toward mine. Studying her for a moment, I watched the crimson bloom beneath her skin, spreading from her cheeks down to her collarbone.

One eye peeked open through the veil of her lashes. The other followed, slow and curious. My hand drifted lower, rounding the curve of her hip before settling beneath the swell of her rear. “Good morning,” I whispered against her ear, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Valentina pressed her cheek tighter into my kiss, until I rested mine against hers. She was soft against the rough stubble lining my jaw. I had no time to shave since training had begun, but she didn’t seem to mind. Her fingers dragged lightly along my chin, teasing the coarse hairs there. “You’ve been more relaxed than I expected, Alexander,” she murmured, placing a kiss at the corner of my mouth. “Good morning to you too.” Her hand trailed up the side of my head, brushing my curls from my face like she was straightening a crown.

I bit my lip as I looked down at her, my grip tightening around her thigh. Each touch sent a small warning into my chest. “I have you to thank for that,” I said quietly. “You make me feel centered. When you’re near me, it’s like the whole world slows down. I can breathe.”

Before she could answer, a gentle knock came at the door. Head Maiden Elaine opened it without a word, gliding in with a golden cart trailing behind her. It was stacked with warm blood bags and an assortment of dishes I didn’t recognize. Some were steamed; others were garnished with flowers, as if they were meant for a banquet, not breakfast in bed.

Rolling the cart to the foot of the bed, Head Maiden turned to face us with her hands folded neatly in front of her. “Your father, Valentina, is expecting you both in his office. He says he has news. Vaelric was here earlier in the night. I can’t say whether it’s connected.” Her voice was smooth, but her tone gave nothing away. “Regardless, you both need to be ready within twenty minutes. Please, eat. And Valentina, your bath is drawn.”

Without seeing her eyes, I could feel the judgment radiating from her. If I had to guess, she was glaring straight at the tangle of limbs we were in. Lifting my hands in mock surrender, a laugh slipped from my breath. “I’ve been a perfect gentleman, I promise.”

Valentina’s shoulders shook with silent laughter as she slowly untangled her leg from mine, sitting up. She stretched her arms above her head before rising, grace in every motion as she crossed the room in nothing but a flowy silk slip. If Elaine was scandalized, Val didn’t seem to care in the slightest. Plucking a warm blood bag from the heated bucket on the cart, she bit into it and drank with casual elegance. Then, rolling her eyes, she glanced at Elaine. “I’m going,” she said with a smirk, wiping a spot of blood from her lip with her thumb.

Giving me one last glance at the doorway, her voice softening. “I’ll see you in a moment.” Valentina smiled, then slipped into the hallway without another word, her presence lingering like perfume.

After Elaine drew my bath, I washed up quickly and dressed in the outfit she’d laid out over the arm of the sofa. The gray tunic was simple, with long, puffed sleeves and a neat row of glossy black buttons down the chest. The slacks were thickly lined with wool, their seams laced together by a sturdy drawstring. She must’ve noticed how tattered my boots had become, because fresh, black leather ones sat neatly beside the outfit, their matching strings tied with care. I tucked the emblem beneath my shirt and pulled my cloak over my shoulders. It swept behind me as I grabbed a heated blood bag from the bucket and stepped into the hall.

For the past two weeks, I’d been able to move more freely through the castle ever since receiving the necklace. It erased my scent and presence, enough so that some staff barely noticed me unless they heard my steps.

Navigating beyond my quarters came with ease. Muscle memory guided me to Lord Draco’s office. When I finally arrived, I gave a single knock. The door was opened instantly by Draco himself. The room was already full. Valentina sat perched at the edge of the sofa, deep in conversation with Arianna. Bomani and Kleitos were on the opposite side, heads bowed in hushed discussion until they looked up in unison at my arrival. Lord Draco ushered me inside, his hand briefly resting on my shoulder before he closed the door. The side conversations ceased as he guided me toward the center of the room.

As I passed Valentina, I reached for her hand and gently pulled her to sit with me. She took her place beside me; thigh pressed snugly to mine. She looked breathtaking. Elaine had dressed her in a soft baby-pink gown. It flowed around her legs while hugging her frame from the waist up. Her hair was pinned at the crown in goddess-like ropes before cascading into waves down her back.

The only thing that managed to pull my attention away from her was when Lord Draco stepped in front of the fireplace, choosing to remain standing rather than join our circle. His hands were clasped behind his back as he began to speak. “Vaelric came by while you were sleeping,” he said, his voice firm. “I know it’s not typical for me to summon you at this hour. The news he brought couldn’t wait. I felt it best to gather you all the moment you woke.” His gaze swept across each of our faces before settling on mine. His eyes lingered, as though he was gauging my readiness, perhaps even my resolve. “There have been additional fires,” he continued, “small ones breaking out in the Red Vale district. But the one near the clearing is spreading fast. It’s creeping closer to the bridge.” He paused, letting the gravity of that settle. “They’ve managed to hold it off for now by forcing a few water Fae to cross realms and contain it. But the Crown is furious. They’re demanding blood in return.”

My ears itched with unease at the words. The idea of coercing the Fae into doing the court's bidding sat poorly with me. This was now affecting more than just the realm; it was now leaking into others. This had to stop. For some reason, I knew I had to be the one to do it.

“There’s talk among the Elgutos. They’re boasting about the rise of a new reign. Some of these rebels have been captured, but none have revealed the names of their leaders.”

Each word ignited a new feeling inside my body. The only new reign was supposed to be mine. I didn’t have hate in my heart for anyone but the threat to my power. The realization unsettled me more than I cared to admit.

“We have an advantage,” he said, his tone steady but firm. “We know what the crown seeks before they do themselves.” His gaze shifted between each of us before his eyes settled on me. “We have their faces, and we must act now. This will not spread any further. “I knew his words were for the group, but the intention was. “This can be contained. It’s only a small fracture in the plan.”

Sitting in heavy silence, the weight of Lord Draco’s words pressed down on each of us. Though unspoken, the truth lingered between us. We did know who had started the fires, and we did know exactly who he was with. It was just hard to reconcile with. Mark was carving a reckless path across the kingdom, leaving behind chaos and smoke. I knew we’d have to face him eventually. The tiny sense of routine we’d managed to build over the past two weeks was temporary. And now, it was unraveling. He’d made another move, dangerous enough that we couldn’t ignore it anymore.

The rebel sightings had been scattered. Whispers. A few vague reports. But fires? Fires were a message. They were rattling the courtyards, creeping through the veins of the city, leaving behind soot-stained warnings etched in flame: Death to the King. It reminded me of those extremist movements I’d read about growing up, unyielding and blind to compromise. Even that felt too simple. Maybe there was once a sliver of truth in their cause, a spark of righteous anger. But it had long since been consumed by the violence they wielded.

Kleitos’s voice cut through my thoughts; my head jerked up to listen. “Then it’s clear. There isn’t another path forward. We’ll need to go to the city sooner than I expected.” The focus in his eyes turned to amusement as he continued. “We’ve been training Alexanders from dusk till dawn. The way he handles himself in spars, I have trust in him.”

Bomani nodded once, his expression thoughtful. “He has. If it comes to a fight, I’m sure he’ll survive.” A smile laced my lips at the affirmation. Their faith steadied me. I needed it.

Valentina's tone was sharper, protective, as she cut in. “He’s still a newborn,” she reminded them, not unkindly but firmly. Her fingers looped around the delicate cord of the necklace at my throat, tugging me forward. “Even with this little charm… I don’t like the idea.”

“That’s not up to you, Valentina,” Lord Draco said, his voice steady and final. There was an undeniable edge in the way he looked at her, just like when Kleitos looked at me. They didn’t dare to challenge him. Her eyes narrowed at him, just for a second. But then something shifted. Whatever fire had flared in her gaze cooled into quiet resolve. Without a word, she let go of my necklace and instead laced her fingers through mine, drawing our hands into her lap.