Sage's POV After tearing open the portal, I sprinted blindly away from the source of my anguish. Hermes' betrayal cut me to the core. I needed time alone to process the heartbreak.How could he claim an emergency, only to embrace another woman right in front of me? It made no sense unless he'd been dishonest all along. The very thought made bile rise in my throat.Lost in my rumination, I was startled by shouting up ahead. Squinting against the setting sun, I could make out figures approaching. Men decked out in tactical gear, accompanied by a woman."You, stop right there!" one barked, breaking into a run.My eyes widened in alarm and I veered off the path, scrambling for cover in the thick underbrush. The woman's voice rang out sharply. "After her! Don't let her escape, or the boss will have your heads!" Judging from their numbers and weapons, fighting would be unwise. I curled into a ball within the concealing bushes, heart pounding against my ribs.The group fanned out, searchi

Lena's POVI sat alone in the quiet living room after coming back from another unsuccessful search for Sage. It had been two agonizing days since she went missing and despite all of our efforts combing the city, we still hadn't found a single trace of her.I buried my face in my hands, consumed by guilt. This was all my fault. If I hadn't hugged Hermes that night, none of this would have happened. No matter how many times Hermes and Scar tried to console me these past few days, telling me it wasn't my fault, I still blamed myself completely."Oh Sage, please come back home. Everyone is so worried about you, especially Hermes. He's devastated," I whispered to myself as tears rolled down my cheeks. The immense guilt was eating away at me.Just then, I heard the front door open and glanced up to see Scar entering the house. He paused when he noticed me crying on the floor."Baby, what's wrong?" he asked with concern as he rushed over and pulled me into a comforting embrace.I melted into

Sage's POVI forced a smile as Hermes agreed to my request for a dinner with Len. Inside, my mind was already whirring with possibilities. Hermes had unknowingly given me the perfect opportunity to get information to pass onto Fox.Once I had Len alone, I just had to find out everything I could about her connection to Scar's heart. Fox would certainly reward me for helping eliminate this unexpected threat."You should get some rest now, my love," Hermes said, drawing me from my thoughts. "I'll stay over tonight to keep an eye on you."I tensed. Having him here all night didn't fit my plans. "Oh, you don't need to do that," I replied lightly. "I don't want Grandma to be alone. Really, I'll be fine."But Hermes was already fetching an extra pillow, making himself comfortable on the armchair. "Nonsense, Grandma understands you need me right now while recovering. Don't worry about her."Seeing he wouldn't be dissuaded, I switched tactics. "Well, if you're staying, could you run and get me

Lena's POVWith Sage's kidnapping, Scar and Hermes doubled their patrols along the border, making escape seem impossible. But I could hardly stand to be near either of them now. The bitter truth was that they had both betrayed me, conspiring to have me killed. I was a fool for ever trusting Scar, despite everything he'd done. Just because I'd developed feelings for him didn't erase the fact that he'd taken me hostage until I located his precious dragon heart. Yet I'd let myself believe he truly cared for me. Now I saw it was all an act to further use me.Under the cover of darkness, I crept from my hidden tunnel shelter and stealthily climbed the trees edging the forest. My dark clothing blended into the shadows as I soundlessly leapt between branches. I had to get away from here, from all the deception and heartbreak. My destination was the ancient library in the abandoned wing of the manor. With everyone consumed by the search for me, it was the one place Scar wouldn't think to ch

Frost's POV The vast icy plains of Iceland stretched to the horizon outside the walls of our stronghold. Within the war room, the air was thick with tension as my advisors argued strategies. The clamor of voices instantly quieting as I strode in. All eyes turned expectantly to me as I took my place at the head of the carved oak table. "What news of the last dragon's whereabouts?" I demanded, forgoing pleasantries. Time was of the essence. The three scouts I'd dispatched shifted uneasily, none meeting my piercing gaze. Gritting my teeth in frustration, I addressed the eldest. "Well? Report." "Apologies, Commander. We scoured every inch of terrain from here to the Highlands border. No signs of the dragon or his roost were found." Murmured curses rippled around the room. I processed this new setback, my jaw tightening. We couldn't allow those damnable Aldorians to claim the glory of the last dragon's capture. "Infiltrating the fortress remains impossible then?" I already knew the