Josephine was now awake. She slowly stood up, her tummy finally flat.
My baby… Josephine said in her mind.
Xavi heard her. He carried their newborn and placed the little girl in Josephine's arms.
My sweet girl… Josephine whispered in her mind.
The newborn opened her eyes and giggled loudly at Josephine's face.
Josephine kissed her daughter's forehead.
"What's her name?" she signed with her hands.
Xavi looked at the strong little girl.
"Her name is Princess Novara," he said.
Josephine smiled at him as he kissed her. She looked down at Novara again and smiled.
Welcome, my sweet girl, she said in her mind—and Xavi heard her.
A Strange Spark Begins
Severin watched Dara as she spoke with Kara, who was explaining everything.
"That is absolutely incredible," Dara said. She looked up and saw him staring.
Severin quickly looked away—then walked straight into a wall.
Dara giggled softly. Kara burst into laughter.
"It's not funny…" Severin muttered, rubbing his forehead.
LUNCH AT 3:10PM
The family was eating lunch. Queen Dracynelle apologized to Josephine and hugged her. Ravellia had been sent home—severely punished by Adris.
The twins giggled loudly. Dravyr Seika's daughter looked at Adris.
"The baby looks like you very much," Dravyr teased.
Adris chuckled.
Melantha's three sons—Talvrax (half-wizard, half-wolf), Keri (full werewolf), and Niv (wizard)—crowded near Josephine.
"Congratulations, brother," Melantha said to Xavi as she admired the baby.
"Awww, she looks just like brother," she added.
Josephine giggled in her mind.
Xavi smiled at his newborn.
Hendrick and Sophia held their new granddaughter while Orion and Opehlia were counting flowers. Orion stuck out his tongue in full concentration and cast a flower spell—the entire castle filled with flowers.
"Great job, Ron!" Adris praised, and the twins giggled.
EIGHT DAYS LATER — IN XAVI'S CASTLE
Novara's room was black and purple.
Adris held baby Novara, rocking her gently as she slept.
"She's very pretty," Opehlia whispered, giggling.
Xavi and Josephine watched their children. Xavi held Josephine's hand as she rested her head on his chest. He kissed her forehead.
Sitting on his throne, Xavi's power radiated through the castle—stronger than ever. He was the most powerful man and king alive.
Caius and Aradia were dating. Kael and Beline secretly met at night.
Adris changed the twins' clothes, dressed them for school, and changed Novara's diaper. The little girl giggled at her big brother.
Adris smiled and kissed her cheeks.
Xavi and Josephine were having breakfast when Adris handed Novara to Josephine, kissed his mother's cheek, took the twins' hands, and left for school.
AT SCHOOL
Adris sat by the window during lunch, drawing with his friends.
A yellow carriage arrived. A man stepped out.
At the same time, several carriages arrived at Xavi's castle—Velara's family. They believed Josephine had killed their daughter.
Back at school, the man ordered the guards to take Adris. His friends tried to protect him, but Adris sat calmly, legs crossed.
"Come on, Adris. I am taking you with me. I am your uncle—so come with me," the man said.
Adris's eyes glowed dark blue. He attacked the man, punching him hard enough to draw blood.
"Adris, stop!" Ruby screamed, trying to stop him.
He lifted the man—
—then suddenly vanished from the academy.
THE THRONE ROOM
Xavi sat on his throne when Adris appeared—covered in blood.
Josephine stared at him.
Like father, like son… she thought.
"Zain!" Velara's mother screamed.
Queen Eris—a demon witch—arrived with her remaining four children:
Oxi (half-werewolf, half-demon wizard),
Azai (werewolf),
Cherise (full demon witch),
Elara (half-werewolf, half-witch),
and Zain (demon werewolf).
"What did you do to him!?" Eris demanded.
Adris laughed like a mad boy.
Xavi watched, Josephine heartbroken seeing her son like this.
"He tried to take me away," Adris said in a terrifying voice.
"So I…" He grabbed a stick.
"…I fucking broke him like this."
He snapped the stick in half and laughed.
But then—he saw his mother's tears.
Adris looked in the mirror. He saw himself—
—saw the monster.
He turned to Josephine and bowed on the floor.
"I am very, very sorry, Mama…"
Josephine handed Novara to Xoni to give to Xavi. Then she lifted Adris's face and took him to bathe him.
"Did he just call her 'Mama'? But Velara is his real mother!" Elara said.
"Josephine changed Adris's blood to hers when he fell very, very sick. So she is his real mother now—by blood," Xoni explained.
Xavi rocked Novara gently.
"I am taking him with us to train him. He is the next king," Zain said, holding his chest.
Adris walked to his father and took Novara.
"Hey, my little girl," he said, kissing her forehead. She smiled and played with his hand.
Adris looked at the family.
"If that's what you all came for… then—Dad, I don't want to be king anymore. Give Lila the throne. I will not sit on the throne. If I do… I will die."
Thunder shook the sky.
Adris gave Novara to Josephine and stepped outside.
"Adris, get back inside!" Xavi ordered.
"NO!" Adris shouted as he flew upward.
He cut his finger.
Josephine rushed to follow, giving her baby to Xoni.
Adris created a spell wall—blocking Xavi and Josephine.
"I, Adris Xavi Roman, will not—and NEVER—take the throne as the next king. If I do—I will die!"
Lightning struck him.
"ADRIS!!!" Josephine screamed in her mind.
She kicked the spell wall with fury, broke through it, and ran to him.
His body fell into her arms.
She silently screamed, holding him tightly.
Xavi stared at the Velara family, his eyes glowing red.
But Josephine—
Josephine's eyes turned pure black.
She floated in the air, holding her unconscious son.
The Silent Queen was now extremely, dangerously angry.