Nova's POV
Dark magic slammed into Orion, and he flew backward with a yelp of pain. "NO!" I tried to scream, but only air came out.
My biggest brother hit a tree hard and crumpled to the ground, his white fur smoking where the magic had struck him. Finn and Ash lunged at Lady Seraphina with their teeth bared, but she waved her hand, and they froze mid-leap, trapped by unseen force. "Stop!" she ordered. "Or I'll do worse than knock them down."
I ran to Orion, falling to my knees beside him. His chest was rising and falling quickly, and his leg was bent at a wrong angle. Broken. My hands floated over him, desperate to help but not knowing how.
His bright wolf eyes met mine, and I saw pain there. But also something else: determination. He was telling me not to give in. "Such loyalty," Lady Seraphina said, walking closer. "It's almost admirable. But loyalty won't save you, Princess. Only the Crown of Winter can do that. So tell me, where did your mother hide it?"
I glared at her, my jaw clenched tight. Even if I wanted to tell her, I couldn't speak.
And I definitely didn't want to tell her.
The Crown of Winter was the most powerful magical object in all the wolf countries. Whoever held it could command winter itself create blizzards, freeze armies, and break any curse. My mother had hidden it using blood magic before she died, tying it to our family line so only a Winterhart could claim it.
But I had no idea where it was. My mother never got the chance to tell me. "Not talking?" Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Oh, that's right. The curse. You can't talk without killing these dear brothers of yours." She smiled wickedly. "How handy for me. But you can still write, can't you?"
She pointed at the paper that had fallen from my hands.
I shook my head angrily and grabbed the paper, crumpling it in my fist. "Stubborn child." Seraphina raised her hand again, this time pointing at Finn. "Perhaps watching another brother hurt will change your mind." "Wait!" A new voice rang out through the clearing.
We all turned.
Captain Ryder stood at the edge of the woods, his sword drawn. Behind him were a dozen royal guards, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight.
Relief flooded through me. We were saved!
But then I saw Seraphina's face. She wasn't scared at all. She was amused. "Captain Ryder," she said easily, her terrible appearance melting away until she looked like the beautiful, noble lady again. "What a surprise. Out for a late-night patrol?" "I followed the servant girl," Ryder said, his eyes flicking to me with worry. "I saw her run into the woods and wanted to make sure she was safe." His eyes hardened as he looked at Seraphina. "It looks like my instincts were correct. Step away from her, my lady." "Or what?" Seraphina laughed. "You'll arrest me? On what charge? Having a chat in the woods?" "You attacked those dogs," Ryder pointed at Orion, still lying wounded. "I saw the magic." "Those are wild winter wolves, Captain. Dangerous creatures. I was defending myself and this poor mute servant girl who foolishly wandered into their area."
It was a beautiful lie. Reasonable. Believable.
Ryder's eyes shifted between Seraphina and me, unsure. "Is that true, girl? Did the wolves attack you?"
I shook my head furiously, then pointed at Seraphina and made slashing motions trying to show that SHE was the attacker.
But Seraphina just sighed loudly. "The poor thing is confused. Probably in shock. Captain, please escort her back to the castle before she gets hurt. These trees are far too dangerous at night." "I agree," Ryder said. But he kept his sword pointed at Seraphina. "My lady, you should return to the house as well. Immediately."
Seraphina's smile was ice-cold. "Of course, Captain. I was just leaving."
She walked past him quietly, her guards following. But as she passed me, she leaned down and whispered in my ear: "This isn't over, Princess. I will find that Crown, with or without your help. And if your brothers get in my way again..." She paused. "Well, let's just say broken bones are the least of their worries."
Then she was gone, disappearing into the darkness with her company.
Ryder rushed to my side. "Are you hurt?"
I shook my head, but I was shaking all over. Not from cold, fear, anger, and helplessness. "These dogs..." Ryder looked at my brothers, his hand on his sword hilt. "They're winter wolves. Rare. Dangerous. Why aren't they attacking?"
Because they're not scary, I wanted to scream. They're my family!
But I couldn't explain. Couldn't tell him anything.
Orion whimpered, trying to stand on his broken leg. Finn and Ash, freed from Seraphina's magic, rushed to their brother's side and helped support him. "They're... protecting you?" Ryder said, confused. "I've never seen winter dogs act like this. It's almost like they're."
He stopped, his eyes widening as he looked from the wolves to me and back again. "No," he whispered. "That's impossible. The Winterhart princes died eight years ago. Everyone knows that."
My heart stopped.
He'd figured it out. Just from watching my brothers care for me, he'd guessed the truth.
I grabbed his arm frantically, shaking my head. Please don't say it. Please don't tell anyone.
Ryder stared at me for a long moment. Then, slowly, he sheathed his sword. "I don't know what's going on here," he said quietly. "But I know Lady Seraphina lied about what happened. And I know these wolves are protecting you, not attacking you." He knelt down beside Orion. "This one's leg is badly broken. He needs help."
I nodded quickly. Yes, yes, please help him! "I can't bring a wild wolf back to the house," Ryder said. "But..." He thought for a moment. "There's an old doctor who lives on the edge of the Enchanted Woods. Her name is Mara. She treats all animals, even wild ones. If we can get him there..."
I was already moving, trying to help Orion stand. Finn and Ash assisted him from the other side, and together we managed to get him up. He limped badly, crying with each step. "This way," Ryder led us deeper into the woods, away from the house.
We walked for what felt like forever. Every sound made me jump, afraid that Seraphina would come back. Orion's breathing got labored, and I knew we were running out of time.
Finally, we reached a small house with smoke curling from its chimney and herbs hanging from the rafters.
Ryder knocked. "Mara! It's Captain Ryder. I need your help!"
The door opened, and an old woman looked out. She had kind eyes and silver hair braided down her back. "Captain?" She blinked in surprise. "What brings you to my door at this hour?" "Winter wolves," Ryder said. "One is hurt. Will you help?"
Mara's eyes opened when she saw us. But instead of fear, I saw wonder on her face. "Winter wolves," she breathed. "I haven't seen them this close since... since..." She trailed off, looking at Orion, Finn, and Ash. Then her gaze landed on me, and something shifted in her face. Recognition. "Bring them inside," she said quickly. "All of them. Hurry!"
We helped Orion into the house. It was warm and smelled like plants and wood smoke. Mara cleared her table and motioned for us to lay Orion there. "His leg is broken," Ryder explained. "I can see that." Mara's hands moved over Orion's leg, gentle but strong. "It's a clean break. I can set it." She looked at me. "But he'll need to rest for several weeks before it heals properly."
Several weeks? Where would my brothers stay? They couldn't come to the house. The Enchanted Woods was dangerous, with Seraphina looking for us. "They can stay here," Mara said, as if reading my thoughts. "I have room in my barn. It's warm and safe." "You'd do that?" Ryder asked, shocked. "For wild wolves?"
Mara smiled strangely. "These aren't just any wolves, Captain. Can't you feel it? There's something special about them."
She began working on Orion's leg, mixing herbs and speaking in a low, calming voice. My brother relaxed under her touch, and I realized she was using healing magic, gentle, natural magic that felt nothing like Seraphina's dark power. "There," Mara said finally, wrapping Orion's leg in bandages. "He'll sleep now. The pain herbs will keep him comfortable."
Orion's eyes were already dropping. He licked my hand once, as if to say he'd be okay, then fell asleep.
Finn and Ash nuzzled me, their way of saying goodbye, then curled up on either side of their brother. Protecting him even in sleep. "I should get you back to the house," Ryder said to me. "Before someone notices you're missing."
I nodded, but I didn't want to leave my boys. What if Seraphina found them here? What if "They'll be safe," Mara said gently, putting her hand on my shoulder. "I promise you, child. I will guard them with my life."
There was something in her eyes that made me believe her. Something that said she knew more than she was letting on.
I hugged each of my brothers carefully, then followed Ryder out of the house.
We walked in quietly for a while. The moon was high overhead, and frost crunched under our feet. "I won't tell anyone," Ryder said suddenly. "About what I saw tonight. About those animals, or Lady Seraphina attacking, or..." He paused. "Or who I think you might be."
I stopped walking and stared at him.
He met my eyes. "I don't know the whole story. And maybe I don't need to. But I know this: King Thorne is in danger. Lady Seraphina is not who she claims to be. And you..." He smiled sadly. "You're carrying a secret that's too heavy for one person to bear alone."
Tears filled my eyes. Someone saw me. Really saw me. "I'll help you however I can," Ryder promised. "But you need to find a way to warn the king. The Winter Solstice is in two days. Whatever Seraphina is planning, it's going to happen then. I can feel it."
I nodded. He was right. I had two days to figure out how to save King Thorne from a strong witch when I couldn't speak, couldn't reveal my identity, and couldn't use magic.
Two days to do the impossible.
We reached the palace's back gate. Ryder checked to make sure no guards were watching, then nodded for me to slip inside. "Be careful," he whispered.
I hurried through the dark halls toward the servants' quarters, my mind racing. How could I warn Thorne? How could I? I turned a corner and slammed straight into someone.
Strong hands caught my arms, steadying me. I looked up, and my heart stopped.
King Thorne stood in the doorway, still dressed in his dinner clothes. His ice-blue eyes were fierce. "Nova," he said, his voice rough. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Where have you been?"
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Pointed wildly toward my room, trying to say I was just going to bed.
But he wasn't buying it. "You're covered in dirt and leaves. Your dress is torn. You've been outside. In the woods." His grip on my arms tightened, not hurting, but firm. "Why?"
I shook my head desperately. "I felt it," Thorne said quietly, stepping closer. "Earlier tonight, in the dining hall. When our eyes met. I felt something I've never felt before." His hand moved to his chest, over his heart. "Like a pull. Like you and I are linked somehow."
The mate bond. He was describing the mate bond. "And then you ran," he continued. "And I couldn't stop thinking about you. Couldn't focus on anything else. I need to know." He stopped, fighting with the words. "What are you to me, Nova?"
My heart was beating so hard I thought it might break through my ribs. How could I answer that? How could I tell him he was my fated mate, my intended partner, the other half of my soul?
I reached for the paper tucked in my pocket, but Thorne caught my hand. "No," he said. "Not with words on paper. Show me."
Before I could respond, he pulled me closer and pressed his hand over my heart.
The moment his hand touched my chest, the mate bond exploded.
Golden light burst from where our bodies joined, so bright it lit up the entire hallway. Magic whirled around us, his ice-blue mixing with my silver-white. The link sang between us, a thousand voices all saying the same thing:
MINE. YOURS. OURS. FOREVER.
Thorne gasped, his eyes going wide with shock. "You're... we're..." "Fated mates," said a cold voice from the dark.
We both spun around.
Lady Seraphina stepped into the hallway, her silver eyes glowing with dark magic. "How sweet," she said with a cruel smile. "The lost princess and the Ice King, reunited by fate." She laughed. "But fate won't save you from what's coming. In two days, during the Winter Solstice, I will take the Crown of Winter. I will destroy this palace. And I will kill everyone you both love."
She raised her hand, and darkness exploded through the hallway.
The last thing I saw before everything went black was Thorne reaching for me, yelling my name.
Then nothing.