Refreshing. Breezy. Cozy. Relieving.
It all rushed through me at once, flooding every worn-out part of me. I had never felt safer, or more complete, than in that moment.
I opened my eyes.
I was surrounded by beastmen.
My cheek rested against Rocco's chest, cool and firm. Talon's hand wrapped around mine, his grip protective and warm. Aron was curled at my feet like a loyal pup, keeping them snug and toasty.
I was cocooned — trapped, in the softest way — but my eyes searched instinctively for someone else.
There.
Under the shade of a timber tree, Gideon sat resting, quiet as a winter storm.
A smile tugged at my lips.
They were safe.
All of them.
Together.
I couldn't believe they had actually managed to get along.
Then reality slapped me.
They found me.
Even if it filled me with joy, this wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't part of my plan. I needed to leave.
I tried manifesting myself back to my refuge.
Nothing.
Holy—
I was completely drained.
Then why wasn't I dead?
Probably because they were near me. Their energy, aura, presence — whatever it was — it was keeping me afloat.
It didn't matter.
I still had to go.
Slowly, carefully, I slipped my hand from Talon's grip, eased myself from Rocco's chest, and slid my legs free from Aron's hold. Then I crawled — literally crawled — away, hoping none of them sensed me.
"Shelley!"
A voice cracked through the air, thick with tears.
"Shelley!"
God damn it.
I ignored it and kept crawling until a hand grabbed the strap of my sports bra and yanked me back. Aspen stood there, sobbing.
"Where are you going?! It's okay — I forgive you!"
"Aspen, quiet down," I whispered urgently. "I have to go. My mission here is done. I'll see you another time."
I turned to crawl again.
A tall figure stepped into my path.
"Where do you think you're going?" a deep, husky voice asked.
I squeezed my eyes shut and pouted.
Caught.
I stood up and looked at him. My heart raced — not because he moved, but because he didn't.
No rush forward.
No embrace.
Just a longing stare.
Then it disappeared when Talon spoke.
"Sienna, why are you up already? You should be resting!"
"All of you are wrong!" Aspen insisted. "She's not Sienna. Her name is Shelley. Shelley from the Bunny Tribe!"
Right. That.
I covered my face, drowning in embarrassment, guilt, and the heavy reminder that I destroyed half of Aspen's land.
I needed to leave — immediately.
"Aspen, I'm really sorry for what happened to your kingdom. I'll come back. I'll fix it. I'll plant trees. I promise."
I bolted — or tried to — only to run straight into more bodies.
They boxed me in, concern and irritation etched on their faces.
Varkas cleared his throat, breaking the tension.
"Shelley, may I speak with you?"
I nodded, though he clearly planned to speak in front of everyone anyway.
"Shelley of the Bunny Tribe," he said gently, "we are grateful. Your power saved many lives. However, our friends say your true name is Sienna. Is this true?"
"Well… my name was Sienna before. When I was a troublemaker." I scratched my cheek. "But I converted. Now I'm Shelley."
"Converted?" he asked.
"I changed. When I learned about Eriu, the Goddess of Abundance, I forgot my past and started over."
Rocco cut in.
"Enough. Sienna — you're coming back with me."
"She isn't going with you," Talon snapped.
"Sienna, come with me," Aron said quietly, ignoring both of them.
Gideon said nothing.
Their auras clashed — heavy, crushing the air. Aspen wrapped his arms around me.
"Enough!" I shouted. "I'm not going with any of you!"
Everyone stared.
"Hey, kid!" Talon complained. "Let go of her."
"I won't!" Aspen snapped back. "She promised to stay and watch over me!"
Fantastic. Another claimant.
I took a breath.
"Listen. Thank you — really. I'm touched you searched for me. But I know why I'm here now. I have responsibilities. I have to do this on my own. I can visit each of your kingdoms — one at a time — but I can't belong to just one."
My nerves kicked in — hair twirling, lip biting, fidgeting like a wreck.
Rocco sighed, soft and sad.
Talon flushed.
Aron looked away.
Gideon didn't even glance at me.
"I'm fine with that," Rocco said. "You're still my treasure."
"Sure," Talon muttered.
"But you still haven't been to my kingdom," Aron added, almost shy.
I smiled. "I'll figure it out."
And then—
Pain.
A heavy surge slammed into me, stealing my breath. My knees buckled.
"Shelley?" Aspen panicked.
Aron was at my side instantly, lifting me. The others followed. Varkas urged them to let me rest.
I felt a presence.
Talon.
"I know that look," he whispered. "You don't have to do anything. Just let me."
He wrapped me in his wings, he showered me with gentle kisses until I drifted off.
When I woke again, I was pressed against Rocco. His cool skin soothed the heat burning inside me. His hands moved slowly — grounding, calm — and I melted back into sleep.
The next time, it was Aron, inhaling my scent like it steadied him. I curled closer.
Warmth. Relief. Bliss.
They were restoring me.
And yet my thoughts slipped toward Gideon.
Where was he?
Would he ever comfort me?
Don't be greedy, Sienna. Be grateful. He stayed away. You spared him this chaos.
But did he see everything? What did he think?
Did it matter?
I needed to live. Whatever survival demanded — I would deal with it.
When I finally woke, fully recharged, I decided to stay in Velaris for a while. The kings remained with me.
Rocco told me the children were reunited with their parents. I nearly cried from joy.
Talon shared Avion's excitement about my return.
Aron still hadn't gone home.
But Gideon…
Silent.
Brooding.
Watching the plains.
Maybe he came to scold me for endangering Theo. Maybe for hurting Sasha.
I wouldn't know unless I asked.
I walked over. The air between us felt strange — distant, fragile.
Trying to talk to him?
Big mistake.