Three weeks later.
It had been three weeks since the mermaid Nimue had vanished back into the river, leaving the Beast Kings with a letter, a lock of hair, and a fragile hope that Roxy was safe.
Inside the Iron-Wood Manor, a different kind of war was being waged. And the mighty Beast Kings were losing.
The living room, once a pristine space, looked like it had been raided.
Ren sat on the rug, his silk robes rumpled and stained with what looked like berry juice. His nine tails were spread out behind him, now serving as a soft barrier to keep the twins, Axel and Onyx, from running into the fireplace.
But Ren's focus wasn't on the twins. It was on the little girl sitting in his lap.
Iris was clutching a stuffed rabbit Roxy had sewn for her months ago. The fabric was worn, the ear chewed on, but Iris held it like it was a lifeline.
"Do the blue one again, Ren," Iris whispered, her voice small and trembling.
