|| Lilac’s POV ||

The fire crackled in Alaric's study, casting flickering shadows over the faces gathered around me. Mom perched on the arm of my chair, her fingers absently braiding a strand of my hair like she used to when I was a pup. Across from us, Elara, Astrid, and Madeline lounged on the oversized couch, their champagne glasses half-empty.

"So you two are actual soulmates," Madeline drawled, swirling her drink. "Not just some magical blip."

Alaric's silhouette ...