Full Chapter – Sparks, Shadows, and the Velthari Twins
Location: Ashenwell Academy – The Flame Tower Dormitory. Early morning, before the Field Trial.
The academy was quiet just before dawn.
Too quiet.
Grim woke to the smell of lavender flame and tension.
Outside his door, voices rose and fell like flickers of unstable magic. He dressed quickly — his jacket half-zipped, hair tousled — and stepped into the common area.
He wasn't surprised by what he saw.
Sparks and Lys, standing inches apart. Again.
A Storm in the Room
Sparks leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, chewing a piece of fruit leather. Her aura crackled faintly — restrained but warning.
Lys stood opposite her, dressed in a sleeveless uniform custom-tailored for movement. Her expression was calm, but her eyes… those eyes weren't calm at all.
They were possessive.
"You were in his room again," Lys said. Quiet. Dangerous.
Sparks didn't blink. "And what? You want a sticker for noticing?"
"He's mine."
"No," Sparks replied, stepping forward. "He's Grim. Not a pet. Not a conquest. And definitely not yours."
"He chose me."
"Did he?" Sparks smirked. "Or did your instincts scream first?"
The temperature dropped.
Lys's shoulders tensed. Her nails shifted into claws — not fully, but enough to remind everyone she wasn't just some rich student. She was werebeast royalty.
Grim stepped between them before the floor cracked beneath them.
"Enough," he said, voice sharp. "Both of you."
Sparks didn't move. "You let her talk like she owns you, and I'm supposed to shut up?"
"No," Grim said. "You're both supposed to stop fighting over me like I'm a blade to be wielded."
Lys blinked. That hit.
"I'm not something to win," he said softer. "I'm trying to build something real. Not a war."
The room stayed tense, but Sparks finally pulled back, arms falling to her side.
"I'm not backing down," she said. "Not because I want to win. But because I care. And I won't let her sink her claws into you while you're still healing."
Lys didn't respond. She just turned and walked out — slow and silent, like a stalking shadow.
Grim sighed, staring at the ceiling.
"This is going to kill me."
"If she doesn't first," Sparks added.
The Velthari Twins Arrive
Later that morning, the front gate of the academy shimmered as a crystal-carved chariot floated down on silver winds. Students gathered at the balconies and upper walkways to watch the descent.
Two figures stepped out — both cloaked in velvet blue trimmed in frost-gold.
• Princess Seris of Velthar: graceful, silver hair bound in a crown of frostlace. Eyes bright and sharp, already scanning everything.
• Prince Rael of Velthar: tall, blade-straight posture, a glare so permanent it could cut steel.
The Headmaster (currently in his twenty-five-year-old form) stood waiting with a lazy grin.
"Ah, Velthar's frost twins. On time for once."
Rael bowed stiffly. "My father sends his respect."
"He also sent two of his children. That's a lot of respect," the Headmaster replied.
Seris stepped forward. "We were told someone would show us the layout. Escort us to our guest quarters. Assist with orientation."
The Headmaster turned to the crowd of students watching from the upper deck and pointed.
"You." He pointed directly at Tristan.
Tristan blinked, mid-sip of tea.
"Me?"
"Yes, you. Ice boy. Smile better than most. You're charming, right?"
Tristan shrugged. "I can be."
"Perfect. Babysit them. Don't let anyone assassinate them. Or worse — flirt poorly."
As the crowd whispered and scattered, Tristan walked down the steps toward the twins. He offered a low, elegant bow, one hand over his chest.
"Tristan of House I don't really care. Escort and, unfortunately, guide for your stay."
Seris raised an eyebrow. "You don't care?"
"Not until you give me a reason to."
She smirked.
Rael didn't.
"We don't need charming words. We need competence."
Tristan turned to him and smiled wider.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm equally annoying to everyone."
Seris laughed — not forced. Genuine.
Rael scowled.
Grim, watching from the balcony with Max and Hadi, shook his head.
"Tristan's going to cause an international incident."
"And love every second of it," Max added.
Evening – Countdown to the Trial
The sun dipped over the academy towers. Torches ignited one by one.
Inside the Flame Tower, Grim stood by his window, watching the clouds roll in.
Tomorrow, the Field Trial would begin.
The Court was already moving.
Enemies were gathering.
But his family was whole again.
Mostly.
And for the first time in a long time…
He wasn't afraid of what came next.