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Not all of them are pleased with this alliance. There are those who would rather see Sapphire frozen in thetower than standing beside me. But none would dare speak against us after watching me defeat my father in the Frost Arena.

Six carriages wait at the center, their white wood carved with intricate frost patterns, twelve silver-white steeds hitched to the one in front.

Standing before it all, tall and regal in a way I haven’t seen in years, is my father.

King Nivian’s eyes—clear now, free of the madness that once clouded them—find mine, and thepridein them lands like a blade of ice to my ribs.

As we approach, my father raises his hands, and the murmurs of the court silence.

“Today,” he begins, his voice carrying across the courtyard with ease, “we witness not just a departure, but a beginning.” His magic swirls around him, ice crystals forming and dissolving in the air. “For centuries, the Winter Court has stood alone against threats from beyond our borders. But the world is changing, and so must we.”

My grip tightens on Sapphire’s arm, feeling her tension through our bond.

“I present to you Prince Riven Draevor,” my father continues, “protector of the Winter Court, guardian of our traditions, and defender of our people.”

A ripple passes through the crowd. Because the title is no longer just a birthright—it’s earned.

“And Princess Sapphire Hayes Fairmont Solandriel Draevor,” he adds, turning to her with a formal nod. “Daughter of Queen Lysandra Solandriel of the Summer Court and King Damien Fairmont of the New York Vampire Clan, bride of my son, and by royal decree, Princess of the Winter Court.”

Her titles ripple like thunder through the assembly. She’s fae and vampire, summer and winter, mortal and divine. A walking revolution in sapphire silk.

I love her so much it hurts.

But amidst her titles, my father purposefully left out the whole “Star Touched by Celeste part.”

We’re keeping Sapphire’s goddess-given gift classified for the moment.

“Together,” my father continues, “the Prince and Princess will journey to the Summer Court to formalize our alliance against the darkness that threatens all fae. The Night Court has been stealing our own from our border, and their transgressions will not go unpunished.” He turns to face the assembled nobles, frost magic crackling around his fingertips. “Any action against this alliance is an action against the Winter Throne itself.”

His eyes sweep the crowd, daring anyone to object.

No one does.

So, with a gesture, he signals for the farewell to commence.

The court bows in unison as Sapphire and I make our way toward the carriage in the center, with Ghost and Nebula by our sides.

Just as we’re about to board, my father’s hand falls on my shoulder.

“A moment,” he says quietly.

I glance at Sapphire, squeezing her hand once before releasing it. “I’ll be right there.”

She nods, understanding in her eyes, and climbs into the carriage, Nebula following close behind.

Ghost remains at my side as my father leads me a few steps away from the crowd.

For a moment, he simply looks at me, as if seeing me properly for the first time in years. The clarity in his eyes is almost unnerving.

“I remember the day you were born,” he finally says, his voice softer than I’ve heard it since my mother died. “Your mother held you and said you would be the strongest of us all.”

I say nothing, unsure how to respond to this sudden vulnerability. Because this isn’t the father who drove me to perfectionism, who beat me in combat training until I couldn’t stand, and who told me love was a weakness that would destroy me.

“I didn’t believe her then. I thought she was just being sentimental. But she was right—as she often was,” he says, a ghost of a smile touching his lips as he reachesinto his cloak and withdraws a small blue, velvet box. “This belonged to her.”

My breath stills as he places it in my palm. The box is cold to the touch, preserved by what must be ancient magic. And whatever’s inside… the buzz of magic is so strong that I can feel it in my bones.

“Open it,” he urges, and I do.