She looks up, her eyes fierce with determination. “Promise that no matter what happens in the arena, you won’t become the Lonely King from the vision.”

My eyes flutter closed as I give her forehead a soft kiss, then pull away enough to meet her gaze. “I swear on every drop of magic I possess,” I whisper, tightening my hold on her, “that no matter what happens in that arena, I’m not going to lose you—or myself.”

She clings to me for a moment longer, then straightens, her water magic settling into calmer currents. “Then let’s make sure you’re ready to kick your father’s ass,” she says, her voice gaining a hard edge.

A surprised laugh escapes me. “That’s definitely the plan.”

We leave the throne room, Ghost and Nebula at our sides, as servants and guards rush by to spread the word. Already, I sense the murmurs through the palace halls—shock, excitement, and a hint of dread.

The Winter Court is about to witness something it hasn’t seen in centuries.

And I’m about to face everything my father ever taught me. Every icy lesson about control and emotionless perfection, and every brutal training session where weakness meant failure.

This isn’t just a fight for my father’s sanity.

It’s for everything I’ve become since meeting Sapphire—for this version of myself that feels, loves, and refuses to be the cold, hollow prince my father tried to forge me into.