The room stretched endlessly before me, vast as a football field. I found myself idly wondering how long it would take to sprint its length, though I doubted I’d ever need to. From our vantage point on the balcony, the entire ballroom lay spread out below-a shimmering sea of elegantly dressed Fae, their finery glowing under the ethereal light.
Leonardo’s gaze found mine, steady and warm, and his voice curled through my thoughts like a whispered caress.
*I should’ve said this sooner, but you look breathtaking. You’ve transformed this entire place just by being here. I know tonight weighs heavy on you-your doubts, your fears about our future and the realms-but you’re stronger than you think. And I’ll be here, every step of the way, to remind you.*
The words melted through me, threatening to undo every ounce of composure I clung to. I fought the impulse to throw myself into his arms and settled for twining my fingers with his, grounding myself in the quiet strength of his presence.
Twin staircases curved gracefully down from the balcony, meeting the ground floor like a mirrored sweep of elegance.
“Kitten, look up,” Leonardo murmured, his breath brushing my ear as I startled slightly.
I obeyed, glancing upward-and gasped. How had I not noticed this before?
The ballroom’s decorations, which I had so meticulously planned, had been altered. Vines still snaked up the walls, adorned with crimson flowers that mirrored the shade of my dress. The arched windows had been stripped of glass, allowing a breeze to flow in and toy with the hem of my gown.
But the true marvel was above us. The domed ceiling, once painted with intricate murals, was gone. In its place was open sky, impossibly bright and breathtaking, as if the heavens themselves had chosen to shine their full splendor for this moment. Golden sunlight poured in, warming my skin and carrying the heady fragrance of wildflowers.
The scent drew my attention to another change. At the far end of the ballroom, the entire wall had disappeared, opening to reveal a lush valley. Fields of vivid flowers stretched to the edge of a dark forest, illuminated by suspended orbs of golden Fae light.
“Who did this?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the hum of the crowd.
“You did,” Graziana replied with a knowing smile, her tone light with amusement. “When you used Earth magic on the ballroom, you must have infused it with Spirit as well. Spirit magic is powerful-it can evolve, shaping itself to your intentions.”
“Honestly, my only intention was to annoy Isotta,” I admitted, entirely unrepentant.
Graziana’s grin widened. “Well, it seems your message was received loud and clear.”
Noemi leaned over the balcony, drawing my gaze to the crowd. At the far end of the room, the High Lady of the Water Court sat enthroned on a dais of gray stone. Her gown, a pale blue masterpiece of snowflake-patterned lace, glimmered like frost. Even her crown appeared to be carved from ice, catching and refracting the light.
Beside her, Isotta stood in stark contrast. Her dark hair, braided elegantly over one shoulder, was interwoven with diamonds that sparkled like frozen tears. Her white gown, pristine and queenly, only deepened the glimmer of satisfaction in her gaze-a satisfaction that made my wolf, Blue, bristle with rage.
Despite my changes to the ballroom, the guests had not abandoned the colors of winter. Pale hues of frost and ice dominated the crowd. Only Leonardo and I reflected the new season, our attire drawing far more judgmental stares than admiration.
Then it happened-a trickle of cold slid down my spine, sharp as frost biting into bare skin.
Before I could stop it, a pulse of raw power surged from me, green and silver threads of magic streaking toward Isotta like vengeful arrows. The action was instinctive, born of a deep-seated fury. My magic sought her out, driven by the memory of her role in Leonardo’s death in one of Noemi’s visions.
But at the last moment, I remembered Graziana’s lessons-power could always be redirected. I forced the magic away, letting it spread through the room instead.
The transformation was instantaneous.
Winter’s icy hold melted under the touch of my magic. Gowns of snow and frost shifted into soft pastels of spring-blush pinks, vivid blues, and warm greens. The dull grays of tunics gave way to rich mossy shades and creamy ivories.
Gasps of shock and laughter rippled through the ballroom. Noemi’s white curls shimmered like silver now, her dress deepening to a sapphire blue that brought out the oceanic depths of her eyes. Graziana’s gown turned a dusty rose, its once-simple design now a delicate masterpiece that accentuated her slender frame.
Even Isotta was not spared. Her once-pristine white gown transformed into a bold sunflower yellow. Her face paled to the shade of carved marble, her icy gaze alight with murderous intent.
A part of me wondered if this was the moment that pushed her to the brink in Noemi’s vision. Or had she been teetering on the edge all along?
A chill swept through the room, harsher than before. This time, it was not a trickle but an avalanche, drowning me in cold, suffocating darkness.
The High Lady of the Water Court rose from her throne, her icy crown melting into a cascade of vines and blooming flowers. Her gown, once glittering with frost, darkened to a rich turquoise. Intricate lace, patterned like vines, wrapped around her arms and chest, forming a bodice that resembled armor.
Her eyes burned with fury, colder than winter’s breath yet blazing with the fire of summer’s wrath. In that moment, she was no longer an icy monarch. She was a queen forged from the heart of summer, and her power radiated through the room like a storm ready to break.