Everest POV
His heart broke all over again as he held her tightly against him. It terrified him to see the woman he loved changing—something powerful had taken over her. But he still loved her with everything he had, and he wasn't going to let her go. He would fight for her with everything in him.
With a soft kiss, he pressed his lips to her forehead. Her body trembled beneath his, so he held her tighter, anchoring her with his presence.
"It's okay, my love," he whispered. "You're not alone in this. I'm here with you."
The words might not have meant much right now, but he needed her to hear them. She wasn't alone. She still had him. And no matter what had changed, she was still the Vila fairy he had fallen for.
They stayed there for long, quiet moments, until a knock broke the silence.
"Your Highness, we've brought your breakfast," a servant called through the door.
It had to be his father who sent them, he figured.
He looked down at Willow. Her sobs had quieted to small, shuddering breaths, her tears finally drying.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She didn't speak, just nodded.
He released her gently and walked to the door. When he opened it, two elven servants stood waiting, each holding a silver tray with covered plates and a steaming cup of coffee.
"Please, come in," he said gratefully.
The servants bowed and entered, setting the trays on the small round table by the window. After a moment, one of them spoke.
"Your father sent us. He would like to know whether the wedding is still going forward."
Everest took a long breath, swallowing hard. The wedding. He'd almost forgotten. With everything that had happened, it had fallen to the wayside.
He glanced at Willow, who stood silent. Her wide, green eyes met his, filled with uncertainty. He knew she felt just as lost.
But he needed to send his father an answer. He turned to the servants. "Tell my father I'll see him later and we'll discuss the wedding decision then."
They nodded, gave a light bow, and left, closing the door behind them.
Everest turned back to Willow, who stood by the window, wiping her streaked cheeks with trembling fingers.
"Willow," he said softly, crossing the room to stand before her.
She didn't look at him, her gaze drifting everywhere but his.
"If you don't want to go through with the wedding, I'll understand," he said. "We can do it another time."
He knew how hard everything was now—how broken she felt.
Finally, she looked up, her eyes locking with his. "I think we still have to do it," she said quietly.
His heart stopped for a second. He didn't know why it surprised him—maybe because of the spark still in her eyes, despite the pain.
She reached for his hands and held them.
"Willow, are you sure?" he asked.
"Our love comes first," she said, her voice firm now. "We can't let everything that's happened stop us. That's exactly what Lord Lorcand wants—to break us. We can't let him win. We can't let him take our happiness."
She was right. His heart swelled with love and admiration. After everything, they were still standing. Still choosing each other.
"It amazes me," he said, looking deep into her eyes. "You're still the incredible woman I fell in love with. The love and fire in you… it's everything."
He leaned in, letting his lips brush hers, whispering, "I want to marry you."
Then he kissed her—deeply, completely.
She was the woman he loved, the one he would spend his life with. No matter what Lord Lorcand said, he would marry her. She would be his wife.
Evelyn POV
She had barely slept that night.
The memory of what had happened to Willow haunted Evelyn beyond the reach of dreams, yanking her from sleep again and again. As dawn painted the sky in soft golds and violets, she sat curled on the window bench, watching the sun rise over the Kingdom of Elven. The light cast a magical shimmer over the tiny houses below—peaceful, still, unaware of the storm raging in her heart.
Her chest felt like it had been torn apart. The past had finally caught up to them.
All they had ever wanted was for their daughter to live… to be a family. But it had come at a terrible cost.
And now, the lies they buried were unraveling—and their beautiful, innocent daughter was becoming the Dark Queen.
Evelyn had always known this day might come. Lord Lorcand had warned them: "I can bring her back… but there will be a price." And now that price had been paid in full.
Willow, the sweet baby girl Evelyn once cradled, was no longer the same. Darkness clung to her soul. Yet, even wrapped in shadow, Evelyn loved her no less. She would never turn her back on her child—because none of this was Willow's fault. Evelyn had never gotten the chance to say goodbye when her daughter died as a newborn. That guilt had haunted both her and her husband, Dorian.
So they made the deal.
The safest choice, they told themselves. But now… it might have been the gravest mistake of all.
They couldn't undo it. Time couldn't be turned back. And when Evelyn tried to call off the pact, Lord Lorcand's wrath had exploded into war.
A heaviness settled deep in her chest. Her breathing slowed. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks.
What had her life become?
She felt fragile—weak—like she was crumbling at the seams.
Just then, the quiet creak of the door broke her spiraling thoughts. Her head turned.
To her surprise, King Tyron entered the room, holding a silver tray with breakfast delicately covered by a polished dome.
"Good morning," he said softly, walking over and placing the tray on the small white wooden table.
Evelyn slowly peeled herself off the window seat and wiped her swollen cheeks. "Good morning," she murmured.
"I brought you something to eat," Tyron said, pulling out a chair for her. "Come sit."
"You didn't have to do that," she replied quietly, hesitant.
But Tyron looked her in the eyes. "Evelyn, you didn't eat last night. You need to keep your strength up. Please."
She could feel the sincerity in his voice. Gratefully, she made her way to the table and sank into the chair. Her body felt unbearably heavy.
Tyron took the seat across from her. Silence hung between them—only the sound of distant footsteps echoed from the hallway outside.
"The servants told me Willow is awake," he said gently. "She's with Everest. Later today, we'll begin discussing the wedding details."
A knot formed in Evelyn's throat. Her daughter was alive—but her magic had awakened. Should she feel relieved? Or terrified?
"Tyron…" Evelyn whispered, her voice trembling. She had to be honest with him. He deserved that. After all the lies… it was time.
"I haven't told the truth in a very long time," she began, her voice cracking. "We keep Willow death a secrete to everyone "
Tyron stilled, his expression shifting.
"What do you mean?" he asked slowly.
Evelyn sat up straighter, drawing in a breath that shook her frame. "Willow's heart stopped. She only lived for a few minutes."
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she relived the memory. "Dorian and I couldn't bear it. We searched everywhere—for witches, for wizards—anyone who could bring her back. But they all said the same thing. It was forbidden. Dangerous. And only one being had the power to defy death."
She met Tyron's stunned gaze.
"Lord Lorcand."
Tyron leaned forward, listening intently.
"She had been dead for four days when we finally gave in. Her body had started to… decay. But we were desperate. And Lorcand agreed to help—but warned us there would be a cost."
She couldn't speak anymore. Her throat was too thick with emotion. She covered her face, sobbing quietly.
Then—warmth.
Tyron's hands gently pulled hers away from her face. He knelt in front of her, tears glistening in his ocean-blue eyes.
"Evelyn," he said, voice soft but steady, "you did what any mother would have done. Don't carry this guilt alone. You had your reasons."
"I didn't want her life to end so soon," she cried. "I didn't want the Vila fairies to die with me. I wanted Willow to live… to carry on our legacy…"
Her body shook with sobs. Tyron pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in comfort. She collapsed into him, weeping into his chest.
And in that fragile moment, two souls clung to each other—both grieving the cost of love, both praying that somehow… there was still time to save her.