The morning sun now pierced through the frosted glass of the Manor’s windows, casting a brilliant, blinding light across the master bedroom.

With careful, precise movements, Roxy looped the reinforced leather cord around the infant’s neck. The magically altered red gemstone settled perfectly against his pale chest, its erratic pulsing completely subdued by Kaito’s silver dampening spell.

Fedor looked down at the bright red stone. His tiny, chubby fingers reached up to bat at it. The stone felt warm and safe. He looked up at Roxy, his stunning olive-green eyes crinkling at the corners as he let out a bright, bubbly giggle, absolutely loving his new accessory.

"Morning, Mum!" Iris chirped, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Can I take Fedor to the playroom? Tyara is currently trying to bite the legs off the mahogany table, and I think he would find it very funny."

Iris beamed, cradling her baby brother securely as she trotted down the corridor. Roxy followed a few paces behind, leaning against the doorframe of the sprawling playroom to observe.

This time, there was no catastrophic reality rewrite. The red gemstone around his neck flashed with a brief, silver light, instantly absorbing the massive surge of magic and filtering it down to a safe, controlled trickle.

"Woah!" Iris gasped, her violet eyes wide with wonder as she reached out to let a starlight butterfly land on her nose.

***

"The weather is brutally cold, my Queen," Caspian had announced, offering his hand. "Which makes it the absolute perfect day for a swim."

Caspian didn’t hesitate. He stripped off his robes and dove cleanly into the steaming water.

Caspian reached out, taking his webbed-handed son and gently placing him in the shallow, perfectly heated water. Zale squealed in absolute delight, immediately splashing his hands.

"A gift from my mother," Caspian murmured, holding the pearl out to her. "It possesses a temporary transfiguration charm. I am tired of you having to kick those clumsy terrestrial legs to keep up with me. Crush it."

The pearl shattered into soft, glowing dust. A warm, bioluminescent pink light instantly enveloped her lower half. Roxy gasped as she felt her legs fuse. Her heavy winter trousers dissolved, replaced by a breathtaking, shimmering pink mermaid tail. The scales gleamed like polished rose quartz, incredibly soft yet incredibly powerful.

The sensation was entirely euphoric. The water felt like a natural extension of her body. With a single, experimental flick of her new pink tail, Roxy shot forward through the heated water, laughing in pure, unadulterated shock at the sheer speed.

What followed was a playful, incredibly romantic afternoon. The steaming pond became their private, aquatic sanctuary. Caspian swam circles around her, entirely in his element, before pulling her flush against his broad, wet chest in the center of the deep water. He captured her lips in a deeply passionate, breathless kiss, their colorful tails tangling beneath the surface. They splashed, they chased Zale through the shallows, and they existed in a perfect bubble of oceanic joy, entirely isolated from the freezing Beastworld around them.

Zarek crouched on the thick branch, his heavy winter cloak blending seamlessly into the bark. His golden eyes were locked onto the water below.

But as he watched Caspian spin Roxy through the water, Zarek’s chest did not tight with jealousy. Instead, it swelled with a profound, anchoring peace. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

More than that, Zarek found himself completely entranced.

Hours later, the sun had fully set, casting the Manor into the deep, quiet shadows of the Beastworld night. The children were completely exhausted from the day’s magical activities and were fast asleep in the nursery.

Her back ached slightly from the unfamiliar muscle use of the mermaid tail, but her transmigrated soul felt lighter than it had in weeks.

Zarek stepped into the room with the silent, terrifying grace of an apex predator. He didn’t make a single sound as he crossed the floorboards.

She let out a soft gasp as Zarek pulled her back flush against his broad, solid chest. He leaned down, pressing a hot, lingering kiss to the sensitive curve of her neck, his deep, vibrating purr sending an instant shiver straight down her spine.

Roxy smiled, leaning her head back against his shoulder. "They are chaotic little monsters, Zaza. But they are perfect."

Roxy’s breath caught in her throat.

He looked down at her, his golden eyes burning with an intense, unwavering, and completely devastating adoration. He offered the impossible blooms to her.