<h4>Chapter 125: The Forgotten</h4>


    <strong>Natalie~</strong>


    The second Fox raised his hand toward Jacob, something in the air changed. The air was filled with the scent of embers and spice. But before I could ask what was brewing in that devious mind of his, a low voice echoed in my head, smooth like melted caramel and twice as dangerous.


    <i>"Little moon,"</i><strong><i></i></strong>Fox’s voice rang through the mind-link<i>, e with me. There’s something I need you to see... a job only you can do."</i>


    <i>"Cryptic much?"</i> I teased back mentally, raising a brow in real time.


    He grinned at me like I’d just confirmed everything he already knew.


    <i>"Jacob,"</i> he called, still using the link.<i> "You’ll want to be around for this."</i>


    Fox turned to Sebastian, flicking an invisible speck from his red leather jacket. "Well, see you soon, vampire boy; watch yourdy carefully. I hear demon-possessed mates are a handful."


    Sebastian gave him a re that could’ve turned blood to ice, but then his eyes softened. "Thanks, Fox."


    Jacob gave Sebastian a once-over and sighed. "Try not to get bitten, would you?"


    Sebastian gave a sarcastic salute. "No promises."


    I stepped up and hugged Sebastian quickly. "Stay safe... for her. For all of us."


    He nodded, eyes lingering on mine a second longer, a silent gratitude in their depths.


    Then without another word, Fox grabbed my hand, grabbed Jacob by the wrist, winked at Sebastian, and—


    We vanished.


    The moment wended, I realized we were in Fox’s realm, the heat kissed my skin like a lover long lost. I gasped, the air thick with warmth and the scent of smoke and sweet nectar. I blinked against the sudden light and color—crimson skies streaked with gold, floating embers that danced like fireflies. The ground beneath my feet was ck volcanic ss, glimmering like crushed stars. Exotic trees with obsidian bark and glowing orange leaves waved gently in a warm wind. Strange creatures roamed—some with ember eyes, others with mes licking their fur, scales, or feathers.


    Fox stood tall, arms spread wide as if to say "Behold my kingdom!"


    And behind him, rising like something pulled from a fever dream, stood Fox’s castle—a jagged, living sculpture of molten rock and zing gemstones. Fire flowed like rivers through channels etched into the walls. Towers spiraled into the sky, their tips glowing like forge metal. Lava poured like waterfalls down the sides into clear pools that shimmered like liquid rubies.


    I couldn’t help the smile that broke across my face. "Damn... it’s been so long since I’ve been here... I forgot how beautiful it was."


    Jacob snorted behind me. "Please. It’s not that beautiful. My realm is way better. Way more peaceful. Cooler. Fewer fire monsters and—" he paused to side-step a ming squirrel with horns "—things trying to set me on fire."


    Fox whipped around, smirking, his fiery red hair ring like a torch. "You’re just jealous because you’re not as hot as me."


    I choked on myughter as Jacob dramatically clutched his heart. "Wow. Real original, me Boy."


    They both looked at me as I burst into full-blown giggles, my hand clutching my stomach. "You two... honestly... someone needs to film this."


    We walked toward the castle, our footsteps echoing softly over the polished ss earth. As we reached the massive double doors—each carved with images of Phoenixes in battle and ancient runes glowing a deep amber—two fire spirits dressed in ember-gold armor bowed low before us.


    "Wolf Spirit," one greeted Jacob with a reverence that made him roll his eyes.


    "The Mist God," the other added.


    Jacob whispered to me, "I hate titles."


    "Then stop being legendary," I whispered back.


    Then came another bow, this time from a third fire spirit whose eyes glowed like twin suns. He knelt before me.


    "Second Moon," he said reverently. "The celestial fire wees you."


    I stiffened slightly. Second Moon. Every time someone said it, it felt... big. Too big. Like they were calling a gxy by name.


    Fox waved a hand. "Enough bowing, ze. You’ll break your back."


    ze—the man who had spoken—rose with grace and gave a sheepish grin. "Forgive me, my Lord."


    "ze," Fox said, growing serious now, "go to the body preservers. Tell them I want to see Griffin ckthorn."


    I flinched at the name.


    Griffin.


    ze didn’t miss the tension in the air, but he only nodded with a bow. "At once, my Lord." Then he turned and vanished in a streak of me.


    Jacob cocked his head. "Did you just say, Griffin?"


    Fox didn’t answer. He just gave us both a look, then turned and strode down a long corridor lined with molten wall sconces and paintings that moved like firelight.


    We followed in silence, the atmosphere shifting with every step we took deeper into the heart of the castle. The corridor twisted and turned, leading us through chambers filled with ancient relics—swords of burning steel, floating books bound in dragonhide, and vials of red-gold liquid that pulsed like heartbeats.


    I could feel the heat growing more intense, but it wasn’t painful. It wasforting... like being wrapped in a nket woven from the sun.


    Finally, we reached a pair of massive double doors, easily twenty feet high. They were jet ck with veins of magma glowing through the surface, and carved into the center was a swirling sun with a single name etched in ancient script beneath it.


    Griffin ckthorn.


    My breath caught.


    The doors opened on their own with a deep, resonant hum—like a dragon waking from slumber.


    Inside, the room was dim, lit only by streams of molten light falling from the ceiling like chandeliers. At the center, encased in a crystal coffin-like box, floated Griffin.


    I stumbled forward, breath caught in my throat.


    He was suspended, his body perfectly still. Not a scar, not a single sign of injury. He looked peaceful... painfully so. His brown hair curled slightly around his face, and a faint magical glow moved through the air around him—like a slow, golden heartbeat keeping time with the universe.


    "What...?" I whispered. "How is he...?"


    Fox stepped up beside me, hands folded behind his back.


    "This," he said gently, "is why you’re here."


    I turned to him, disbelief etched across every inch of my face.


    "What do you mean?"


    Jacob came to stand beside me, arms crossed, watching Fox carefully.


    Fox looked at me, his eyes more serious than I’d ever seen them.


    "You’re the Celestial Princess, Natalie. You were born of light, fire, and something no one’s seen in centuries. Your touch can undo what others can’t. He’s been preserved... waiting. Not for time. Not for magic. But for you."


    My mouth hung open. Words refused toe.


    "Griffin’s fate has always been tied to yours," Fox added, quieter now. "I preserved his body the moment he died. I didn’t tell you before because... well, I wasn’t sure you’d be ready."


    Jacob let out a breath. "You’re asking her to bring him back?"


    Fox nodded slowly.


    I turned back to the ss box, my heart thundering in my chest.


    Griffin. The boy who rejected me. Who once looked at me like I was a mistake. And now here he was, lying still... waiting for me to breathe life back into him?


    "What if I can’t?" I whispered, fear curling in my chest like smoke.


    Fox looked at me withplete certainty.


    "You can."


    I stared at Griffin’s face through the ss, his features still so familiar, so haunting.


    And by my mother, I didn’t know what I wanted.