Chapter Seventy-Five
Avery closed her eyes, exhaled, and with a flicker of will, let the ward dissolve. The grove sighed in relief, its magic flowing freely again.
Five fairies stepped forward then, each glowing with a distinct hue — emerald, sapphire, gold, violet, and silver. Titania gestured to them.
“One for you, and one for each of your mates. They will travel with you, a bridge between our kind and yours. Through them, you will always have our counsel, and we will always know your need.”
Avery rose slowly, bowing her head in gratitude. “Thank you.”
Titania’s smile was serene. “It is time to go back, child of prophecy. The world waits for you.”
The council chamber was still buzzing with activity when the air shifted. A ripple of magic swept through the room, soft but undeniable, and every head turned.
Avery stepped into the chamber.
The five fairies perched on her shoulders and hair glowed faintly, their tiny forms shimmering like living jewels. Their presence was subtle but powerful, a silent declaration of allegiance.
The room stilled. Voices died. Even the nobles who had bristled at her before bowed their heads, instinctively recognizing what she had become.
She didn’t pause. She didn’t falter. She walked with quiet grace through the chamber, her power steady, her presence commanding. For the first time, she was not just the prophecy’s child — she was the leader they had been waiting for.
She reached the side corridor, the door to the office where her mates were gathered. The moment her hand touched the frame, she felt it — the bond flaring to life, raw and bright, like a fire catching after being smothered.
Inside, Riven froze mid-step, his head snapping toward the door. Lucien’s breath caught. Kael’s wolf surged forward, restless and eager. Molly’s eyes filled with relief.
When Avery entered, they didn’t speak. They didn’t need to.
They moved as one, surrounding her, arms wrapping around her, pulling her into the center of their circle.
For a long moment, there were no words — only the press of bodies, the thrum of the bond, the fierce relief of being whole again.
Avery closed her eyes, letting herself be held, letting the bond settle back into place. The fairies flitted upward, circling once before perching again, their glow soft and approving.
The world outside was still in chaos. The prophecy still loomed. But here, in this circle, Avery was not just the leader. She was home.
Back in the council chamber, the atmosphere had shifted. Avery’s return had grounded the room, and now her presence commanded attention, not just respect. The five fairies perched on her shoulders and arms flitted down one by one, choosing their connections with quiet grace. Emerald settled on Riven’s shoulder, his energy sharp and protective. Sapphire chose Kael, her glow pulsing in rhythm with his wolf. GoldViolet curled into Molly’s curls, her laughter soft and knowing. And Silver remained with Avery, her bond quiet but deep. Each fairie shimmered as the connection formed – a bridge between realms, a promise of unity.
In the private meeting room, Avery voiced her concerns. “The original plan is bold, but it’s reckless. We need precision. We need to control the setting, the exposure, the risk.”
Her mates nodded, their bond humming with agreement. Remy and Elena listened closely, while Mark and Auron exchanged glances — proud, but focused.
Then they returned to the council chamber, Avery at the helm, her fairies glowing like stars around her.
She stood before the gathered leaders. “We move forward. But we do it smart. The delegation is ready — I’ve reviewed the logistics. You have my go-ahead.”
The room stirred with motion, aides rushing to relay orders, envoys preparing to depart.
Titania’s silver-winged envoy spoke softly into Avery’s ear. “We are limited in the human realm, but we have contacts. We will begin the search there.”
Avery nodded. “That’s where they’re hiding. I can feel it.”
Then Dean Errol stepped forward, his voice calm and clear. “We always hold a fundraising gala the weekend before school starts. It’s high-profile, well-attended. We can use it.”
He outlined the plan: a decoy location, publicly announced and heavily guarded. The real gala would be held in secret, with participants brought in quietly. The trap would be set. The enemy would come.
Avery’s eyes lit with approval. “This is it. We can control the space, minimize casualties, and draw them out.”
Her mates stood behind her, the fairies glowing with quiet anticipation.
The prophecy was no longer just a burden.
It was a strategy.
The week and a half before the gala stretched before them like a battlefield of details. Every hour mattered.
Lucien and his family had taken on the task of scouting locations, their sharp eyes and old-world connections combing through estates, ballrooms, and hidden sanctuaries. One would serve as the real gala site, the other as the decoy — both needing to be convincing, both needing to withstand scrutiny.
Kael and Riven worked side by side with Auron and Alic, the King of Werewolves, their voices carrying through the training yards as they coordinated warriors from every territory. Fortifications were drawn, patrols scheduled, contingencies layered upon contingencies. The bond between them and the armies they commanded grew stronger with each passing day.
Meanwhile, Molly and Avery sat with the council, scrolls and screens spread across the long table. Logistics, transport routes, guest lists, magical wards, and operational parameters were debated and refined until every angle was covered. Avery’s voice carried weight now — not just as prophecy, but as leader. Molly’s sharp wit and steady presence balanced her, the two of them weaving strategy with precision.
By the time the sun dipped low, the council chamber was a patchwork of exhaustion and determination. Some workers dug in, food brought to their desks as they continued their tasks. Others called it a night, slipping away to rest before the next day’s demands.
Avery and her family gathered together, the weight of the day pressing down. None of them felt like cooking.
Auron, ever the practical one, pulled out his phone with a grin. “I’ve got it covered. Your favorite, Avery.”
Her head lifted, a small smile tugging at her lips. “The Chinese place?”
“Of course,” he said, already placing the order.