CASSIEL, CLOAKED IN LIGHT, stands beside Valerius, whose soul is still lingering in Theo’s body, on the high balcony of the Winster Palace. Artemis lies unconscious in a nearby chamber.
Valerius stared into the moonlit horizon, his eyes showed worry and trouble.
“She collapsed,” he said.
Cassiel, calm as ever, did not turn to look at Valerius. “Her body was not like before.”
Valerius frowned. “Explain.”
“She was born human,” Cassiel said. “But inside her, a Phoenix’s soul—but not totally a soul—was awakened.”
Valerius closed his eyes. “Fiamma,” he whispered into the air.
Cassiel turned sharply now with a firm gaze. “Just to remind you,” he said. “She’s not Fiamma. She’s Artemis. Theo’s mate. Not yours. Not your past.”
Valerius went still. And then it happened. A flicker of light
