Alexa's POV
Before I got Xhan's call, Vleid and I were already settled inside our separate tents at the peak of the mountain. It wasn't part of any plan—just a spontaneous escape that I wanted to happen - supposedly an only me hike.
Outside, the bonfire crackled softly, casting flickers of light on the canvas of our tents. The wind carried a chill, but it wasn't biting. Just... grounding.
Above us, the stars were unapologetically loud tonight.
We'd hiked earlier in silence, the kind that wasn't awkward—just heavy with unspoken thoughts. Maybe we both needed it. Maybe we both knew that whatever was waiting for us back at the villa would be heavier.
"Lexi," Vleid called from his tent, his voice casual but still carrying that usual weight, "you need to control your thoughts. I can still hear them faintly."
I groaned and pulled my blanket tighter. "Then don't listen, dummy."
"I'm not listening. I'm hearing. There's a difference."
"Same thing."
"It's not."
I could feel his smirk from the other tent. That made it worse.
He was right, though. Again. Ever since those dreams started—of the woman by the lake, her eyes like liquid starlight, her voice echoing with something ancient—I hadn't been able to turn off. I'd tried to dismiss it at first, chalk it up to stress, maybe too much training… but it lingered. Like a whisper hiding just behind the trees.
I'd hoped that getting away, even just briefly, would help. Somewhere still close enough to the villa in case something went down—but far enough from the walls and eyes and routines.
But we weren't even alone up here.
"Would've gone to the lake if it weren't for this blue eyed-wolf," I mumbled to myself. "Can't even sneak out for air without someone blinking at me like I'm about to disappear into the void."
"...Fenrir Lexie, I shift as a Fenrir, keep it in mind," Vleid said flatly.
I sat up inside my tent. "Seriously? Still reading?"
"You're mumbling, Lexi. Your thoughts are louder when you're unsettled."
Silence stretched again.
I stared at the small fire through the tent flap, watching the way it danced like it knew things I didn't. The dreams. The glow. The feeling of being watched even when I was alone. It wasn't fear exactly, just… pressure. Like I was standing on a thread that stretched across two worlds and one wrong move might snap it.
The vibration from my comm tablet was faint but sharp. I glanced at the time.
[Incoming Call: Xhan – 2:14 AM]
I exhaled. Figures.
"…What now?" Vleid asked from the other tent.
I opened the flap. "Trouble at the villa. The gang's all there. Jay. Angelica. Stephanie. Jackelyn. Showed up unannounced."
Vleid unzipped his tent and stepped out, arms crossed, his shirt slightly dusted with ash from earlier.
"No warning?"
"None."
His jaw tightened slightly. "I'll pack up."
I nodded. "We'll lose the sunrise. Again."
"We'll see it another day," he replied calmly, but his tone was already shifting back into his default: focused, calculated, controlled. "Besides… sounds like the storm's already come down from the mountain."
After the conversation with the guys, heading to each of our rooms Jay approached me with a rare tone of seriousness, brushing his fingers through his freshly styled hair like he wasn't just hugging me seconds ago.
"Lex, I know I can't do much," he said, voice unusually low for him, "but we're here to assist you. Whatever's happening… I mean, really happening… just know we got your back."
I gave a small smile. I know Jay acts extra, but when he says things like this—when the glam drops even for just a breath—I know it comes from a genuine place.
"For now, we can't do much, and we're still learning," he continued. "But as your besties, we've got you."
Then, like flipping a switch, he gave me one of his signature bone-crushing hugs—warm, dramatic, and full of sincerity. He held it for a heartbeat longer… but strangely let go before he usually would. No flamboyant kiss on my hand, no wink, no "Your Highness~" joke.
He just glanced over my shoulder.
"Well," he muttered, stretching his arms and giving an exaggerated yawn. "I better head back now."
I squinted slightly. "Vleid?"
Vleid was standing silently a few steps away, arms crossed like he was watching the shadows shift. He didn't even flinch when I called out his name.
"Hm," he finally responded, still not looking at me. "You better clean up and sleep now, Alexa."
Alexa. Not Lexie.
I stiffened a little. He only used my full name when we weren't alone—or when something was bothering him.
"Night, guys," I said softly, waving to the others.
"Night night!" Jackelyn chirped sleepily as she leaned on Stephanie's shoulder, who looked half-asleep already. Angelica was quietly nudging them both toward their room, muttering something about disinfecting their faces before bed.
I turned to Xhan, who was blinking slowly like she was hanging on to consciousness by a thread.
"Xhan, you too. Night night." I reached out, tapping her shoulder gently. "I'll send a report to Dante about the situation here. You and Dianne rest."
Dianne gave me a small wave, eyes scanning the perimeter one last time like she always does when something's unsettled. Xhan yawned as expected, her body relaxing finally now that we were back inside the villa's secure walls.
But my mind… it was still by the mountain, by the dream lake, and on that look Vleid gave Jay without even saying a word.
Cleaned up and in my pajamas, I padded softly through the hall, the echo of the others' fading conversations now replaced by the calming silence of the villa at night. I was about to head straight to my room when I noticed a dim, warm light spilling from the living room.
There, sprawled on the sofa, was Vleid.
His chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm. One arm rested across his face, shielding his eyes from the soft light. His other hand dangled off the edge of the sofa, fingers twitching slightly like he was still half-alert, even in sleep.
His boots were off, jacket draped neatly over the back of the couch—very unlike the composed, always-ready Vleid I knew.
I stood there for a moment, hugging my sleeves.
It was rare to catch him like this. Peaceful. Unguarded.
The corners of my lips twitched into a small, fond smile.
I tiptoed closer, just enough to see his face more clearly. Tired. There were faint creases on his brow, like he'd fallen asleep mid-thought. I wondered if it was about earlier. About Jay. About me.
My fingers itched to reach out and brush the hair away from his forehead, but I stopped myself.
Instead, I whispered, "You act all composed during the day, but you're not invincible either, are you?"
He didn't stir.
"Good night, Vleid," I murmured, backing away slowly.
Just as I turned to leave, I heard a soft voice—quiet, groggy.
"…Lexie."
I froze.
I looked back.
His arm was still over his face, but there was the smallest smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"You always forget to bring a blanket," he mumbled.
I blinked, then laughed softly.
"Only because someone always ends up using it before me," I whispered back.
I walked to the cabinet, grabbed a folded throw blanket, and gently draped it over him.
"There," I said, barely audible. "Now you don't catch a cold either."
I lingered for just a second, then padded away into the hallway—heart a little too full, and thoughts a little too loud.
The moment I closed my eyes, the heaviness of the day slipped away, replaced by a strange calm.
When I opened them again, I was no longer in the villa.
The air was crisp and sweet like after rain, and the sky above me shimmered in hues I'd never seen in real life—blues melting into soft violets, streaks of peach and honey-yellow blending into radiant emeralds. A rainbow-colored sky stretched infinitely above me, and below it, a field of glistening wildflowers swayed gently as if dancing with the breeze.
And there she was—again.
The woman by the lake.
But this time, there was no water. She stood where the lake used to be, barefoot on glowing grass, her long hair softly tousled by the wind, her presence quiet but undeniable. Like she belonged to this place in a way I couldn't yet understand.
"I guess he spilled some of his past, Princess," she said gently, her voice like a breeze passing through wind chimes. "But you still need to be wary of the people around you."
There was no venom in her words, not anymore. Not even about Vleid. Just a distant concern, like an older sister who saw too much too soon.
But I ignored that part—because there was a question I couldn't hold back anymore.
"Who are you really… and can you teach me more about Astralis?"
She tilted her head slightly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "We'll see each other often once you go to Astralis, dear."
That word again. Dear.
She always said it like she knew me—truly knew me—even more than I knew myself.
"And about your mana control," she continued, taking a step closer, the field lighting beneath her feet with every touch. "You need to own it. Don't let it overwhelm you. Think of adaptable ways to make it yours. Be creative."
Her eyes softened, but there was something sharp behind them. Wisdom wrapped in warmth.
"Know your strengths, Alexa… and how to compensate for your weaknesses. That's the only advice I can give you—for now."
I wanted to say something, anything—but a breeze swept through the field and carried her voice away.
The flowers began to blur. The colors of the sky started melting into a single soft glow, and the field faded from my feet like sand washing away beneath a wave.
And then I heard it, just before I woke—
A faint echo:
"Don't be afraid of your light, Alexa. Even if it glows differently than others."
Alexa's POV
Late morning sunlight filtered in through the tall windows of the hallway, painting soft golden lines across the marbled floor. I padded quietly toward the dining room, still brushing out the last traces of that strange, vivid dream from earlier. My thoughts were already halfway to the table, wondering if Dianne would be scolding someone about tea temperature again—but then I heard Mom's voice.
It wasn't the usual gentle, nurturing tone she used when she was home.
This was different. Sharper.
"…Helena, I know your husband wants to deal with this legally, but we've confirmed that some from the South were involved in this. From Nifelheim if I'm being specific."
I froze just by the doorway. Nifelheim? That name rang like distant thunder, as per our studies about Astralis it is one of the most elusive, magically fortified counties in the Astralis land.
Nifelheim is a harsh land ruled by strict hierarchies and emotionless discipline. Its society values strength in subtlety—illusion, manipulation, and mental fortitude are the pillars of power.
"I knew it," Mom muttered, almost too quietly, but I caught it. "You saw them. Heck, even fought with those two. You felt that curse signature as well as I did, Talon."
Talon's voice was gravelled and calm, but with that simmering edge she always had when something didn't sit right.
"They were trained. Not like the usual rogues. They knew where to hit, how to slip through detection. And the way they moved… someone from the inside might've given them access to your barrier codes during the party."
A chair scraped. I imagined Mom had stood up.
"We don't say that word lightly, Talon. Not here."
There was a beat of silence before Talon spoke again, tone lower this time.
"But it needs to be said, Helena. If the South is involved, and Shiro's are connected to them, then this is no longer just a family issue. It's also our realm problem."
Mom didn't reply immediately, but I could feel her magic shift—like a ripple in the atmosphere. My heart sank slightly. I wasn't supposed to be listening, but my feet wouldn't move.
"Does Kian know?"
"Only the surface. He doesn't know about Nifelheim's involvement yet," Talon answered. "I wanted to tell you first. I figured you'd understand the weight better."
I heard Mom sigh heavily. "Damn it…We can't afford to provoke them... not with Vleid here."
I took a slow, shaky breath.
Vleid.
The name echoed in my mind, now weighed down with implications I hadn't wanted to confront. I always knew he wasn't just anyone—his presence, his aura, even the way he moved hinted at something more. But now, hearing Nifelheim spoken out loud, associated with spies and curses and barrier breaches—it made everything feel real.
He wasn't just a peace symbol. He was a ticking diplomatic time bomb.
If something happens to him… they'll have an excuse to start a war.
The dream woman's voice flashed again in my memory, wrapped in rainbows and dew. "You still need to be wary of the people around you."
I never wanted to believe that warning applied to him. But even now, he sleeps like a soldier—never fully vulnerable. What is he really thinking? What parts of himself does he keep hidden to protect us... or to protect himself?
My hand clenched softly at my side.
"Lex?"
The voice came from behind me—Xanthine, a bit groggy, Dianne gently tapped on her shoulder with a warning gaze.
I turned quickly, startled, my thoughts slipping back behind a composed mask. "You're up early."
Xhan blinked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me. "You're eavesdropping."
I raised an eyebrow at her, but her gaze softened. She tilted her head toward the closed dining room door and added quietly:
"We need to get information. If what you heard is true, we can't just sit on this."
I nodded once, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach. She was right—we couldn't ignore this. But we needed more details. This was bigger than anything we had dealt with before.
"You think Mom and Talon will tell us everything?" I asked, voice low.
Xanthine shook her head, her tone sharp with a mix of disbelief and concern. "They've been keeping things from us. This goes deeper than just family issues—this is about the entire realm. We need to push for answers."
A sudden noise from the dining room caught my attention. The faint scrape of a chair. The sound of footsteps.
"Let's do it carefully," I said, my voice quieter now. "We don't want them to shut us out."
Xanthine nodded, then glanced at Dianne, who had perched herself, now fully awake and listening intently. "We should make them feel like they have no choice but to let us in on this."
"Agreed," Dianne added softly, her voice edged with authority. "They're not telling you everything, Alexa. If Nifelheim's involvement is confirmed, they won't be able to hide it for much longer."
The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. I had to know more. The questions I had been too afraid to ask were starting to crowd my thoughts.
"What if they don't trust us with this?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly. "What if we aren't ready?"
Xanthine's eyes softened. "We can't wait any longer, Lex. This affects all of us. Your bond with Vleid... our family. For pete's sake we're even moving there in a few weeks!"
Before I could respond, the door to the dining room creaked open, and Talon stepped into the hallway, her sharp gaze immediately catching mine.
"Alexa," she said, her voice calm but holding an edge of warning. "What's going on?"
I met her eyes, trying to keep my expression neutral, but my heart was pounding in my chest. Xanthine gave me a subtle nod, signaling me to take the lead. I inhaled deeply, steeling myself for what was coming next.
"I overheard you and Mom talking," I said carefully, my tone calm but unwavering. "About Nifelheim. And the curse signatures. The spies. What's going on, Talon?"
Talon's gaze flickered briefly, her jaw tightening slightly before she glanced toward the dining room. "It's not something we want you to worry about yet," she replied, her voice low but with a hint of finality.
"No." Xanthine's voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "We need to know everything. We can't sit on this any longer. If Nifelheim is involved, we're already in too deep. Don't shut us out."
There was a long, heavy pause. Talon studied us both, her expression hardening as if calculating her next move. I could almost feel the weight of her silence pressing against me.
Finally, she spoke, her voice quieter this time, but the undertone of concern was clear. "You're right. We can't keep you in the dark." She stepped closer, lowering her voice even further. "But you need to understand the consequences. If Nifelheim is truly involved, this could escalate very quickly. We have to handle this with extreme care."
Xanthine crossed her arms, clearly not satisfied with just a vague answer. "So, what does that mean? More cloak-and-dagger games?"
Talon's eyes darkened, but she didn't flinch. "It means we need to prepare. We're not just protecting the family anymore. We're protecting our kingdom."
My stomach twisted as her words sank in.
"What about Vleid?" I asked, voice barely above a whisper. "What does his role in this mean?"
Talon's face softened just slightly, though the concern in her eyes remained. "His role isn't just as a peace symbol anymore. He's a hostage, a bargaining chip. If anything happens to him, Nifelheim will have a reason to declare war. We can't afford to lose him. Not yet."
I felt my heart race as the weight of those words pressed down on me. "So we're really just waiting for the storm to hit, then?"
Talon's expression hardened again. "No. We're not just waiting. We're preparing. And we need all of you to be ready."
As she turned to leave, I felt the heavy burden of the responsibility settle deeper within me. There was no escaping it now. We had to face this—together.
I exchanged a glance with Xanthine and Dianne, both of them silent but equally aware of the gravity of what was to come.
"Let's get to work," I muttered under my breath.
And with that, we set off to inform Xander. Because if Nifelheim was truly involved, the battle lines had already been drawn.