A/N

This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.

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Fiora (POV)

"I have a question."

"Go on," Zack replied, his voice gentle and inviting.

"Does that mean I will also have a mate in this world somewhere?" I asked, my curiosity tinged with a hint of apprehension.

"Yes, of course," he answered, his smile warm and reassuring.

A wave of disappointment washed over me, my heart sinking. "I don't want to meet him," I mumbled, barely meeting his gaze.

"Why?" he asked, his brows furrowing in confusion, his concern evident.

I hesitated, my thoughts a jumble. "Because... I... I like..." I stumbled over my words, my feelings a chaotic mess. "I don't know," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. I turned abruptly and walked out of the room, my emotions swirling like a storm within me, leaving Zack behind, his confusion palpable.

I reached the hallway, my steps faltering as I tried to process the whirlwind of emotions. The idea of having a destined mate felt overwhelming, especially when my heart seemed pulling me in a different direction. I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The thought of confronting these feelings scared me, yet it also made me realize how deeply Zack had already affected me.

Zack followed me, his footsteps were soft yet insistent. "Fiora," he called out, his voice filled with worry and tenderness.

"You don't like the idea of having a predestined mate?" Zack asked, his eyes searching mine for the truth.

"It's not that," I began, struggling to find the right words. "I just don't know... what if he doesn't like me? Or what if he's scared of me? I still turn into a fire cannon sometimes."

He listened thoughtfully, then nodded. "You don't have to worry about that. He's your mate. He'll understand you and love you more than he could ever love himself," he said, walking towards the theatre room.

I furrowed my brows, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Why are you so sure?" I asked, trailing behind him.

"Experience," he replied, his voice laced with a cocky confidence.

"What? You found your mate?" I asked, my shock evident in my tone.

"Yes, I did," he answered calmly.

"Does she know about me?" My heart pounded with concern.

"Yes, she does," he said, his demeanour unchanged.

"You're cheating on her?" I felt anger rising within me.

"No, I'm not. Why would I?" he said, his confidence unwavering.

"Then what we did isn't considered cheating in your book?" I asked, my irritation growing.

"No, of course not," he replied nonchalantly.

"Then what is it?" I demanded, my frustration peaking.

"It's called sharing love," he said, a sly grin on his face.

"You're disgusting," I spat, preparing to leave the room.

Zack moved swiftly, pulling me by the waist and whispering into my ear, "I'm just messing around." His warm breath sent shivers down my spine, like a drug I couldn't resist.

I felt my anger and confusion melting away, replaced by an intoxicating mix of desire and frustration. "You can't just say things like that," I murmured, my voice betraying the tumult of emotions within me.

"I know," he said softly, his lips brushing against my ear. "But I wanted to see your reaction."

"Why?" I asked, barely able to focus on his closeness.

"Because I care about you," he replied, his voice sincere. "And I want you to understand that no matter what happens, you'll always have someone who understands you, even if that someone is just me."

I pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes. They held a depth of emotion that made my heart ache. He smiled, and for a moment, everything felt right. "Let's watch that movie," he said, gently leading me back towards the theatre room.

"I have another question," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

"What is it now?" Zack asked gently, turning towards me with an expression of patient curiosity.

I lowered my head, nervously playing with the hem of my shirt and biting my lip before summoning the courage to speak. "Can I mark you as 'mine'?" I looked up at him, my eyes full of hope.

His expression turned serious, concern etched into his features. "Do you understand what you're asking?" he said, his voice tinged with scepticism.

"You can just say no. It's not that hard. I'm not a child," I retorted, feeling a mix of frustration and vulnerability.

"Fiora... I'm the king of all alphas. This means—"

"It means whoever you choose, be it your mate or someone else, she'll have to be incredibly brave and Sagracious. She'll need to stand by your side, rule in your absence, nurture, and be your strength. I know," I interrupted, my voice steady. "I know I'm not fully aware of this world, nor am I that knowledgeable. But I can learn if you accept me. You must have started somewhere; someone would have taught you and encouraged you. I can do it too if you teach me."

Zack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You will be bound to me for the rest of your life. If you ever wish to leave this world and undo our bond, it won't be possible. There's no turning back. Once I mark you or you mark me, you won't be able to fit into the world of manipulators."

"Will I not be allowed to see my parents?" I asked, a hint of panic rising in my voice.

"What kind of question is that? Of course, you can see your parents, or they can even live with us," he answered, his tone softening.

"Sorted, I accept it. But the question is, do you?" I pressed, my heart pounding in my chest.

"You won't be able to run away," he cautioned.

"I don't even want to. Not now, not ever," I replied firmly.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a myriad of emotions. "Give me some time to think about it," he finally said.

"Alright, we have all the time in the world," I said happily, a surge of hope and excitement coursing through me.

"Don't get your hopes up," he warned.

"I'm not. I'm just happy that you're even considering me as a partner who could share some of your responsibilities," I said, my smile genuine.

Zack nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're something else, Fiora."

"And you're not so bad yourself, Zachary Theo Crystal," I teased, feeling a warm glow in my chest

Theo emerged from beneath, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "Fiora," he called, his tone serious. My eyes widened at the sound of my name on his lips, and I quickly focused on what he was about to say. "Are you sure? This will permanently alter your life."

I adopted a more serious demeanour, closing the distance between us. Standing on my tiptoes, I cupped his cheeks and kissed him gently. "If it's you, I wouldn't mind," I said softly, my voice unwavering. "I've been thinking about this for days. I was just waiting for the right moment, but it seems you've created one instead." I smiled confidently.

Theo responded with a hungry, demanding kiss, unlike Zack's gentler ones. His lips were insistent, and he nibbled lightly, his hands quickly finding their place on my waist. He lifted me effortlessly, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he carried me back to the room. He sat on the bed, positioning me on top of him, his lips never leaving mine. When he finally pulled away to let me catch my breath, he raised his neck to meet my dishevelled appearance.

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"I'll make sure you love every second of tonight," he promised, his words igniting a literal fire within me. My hair began to burn, flames licking at the strands. Theo smirked at the sight and reached out to touch my hair. I stopped him immediately. "You'll get burned," I warned, my voice trembling.

"But I want to get burned," he replied, his eyes pleading.

"Trust me," he said, and reluctantly, I let go of his hand.

Since I was on top of him, his face was level with my chest. He kissed me above my cleavage and bit gently at the base of my neck. His warm breath and tongue compelled me to tighten my hold on his shoulders, and my hair burned more fiercely than ever. Theo slowly trailed his fingers along the back of my scalp, brushing some of my hair forward. I was surprised to see that the flames weren't hurting him at all; instead, they danced playfully around his palms. I exhaled the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

When I turned my head to gauge Theo's reaction, he wore a mischievous grin. "This isn't over" he teased.

He swiftly undid my messy bun, and the fire consumed all of my upper clothing, turning it to ashes. My heart pounded as the flames licked at my skin without burning me as if they recognised me and played around me like a protective barrier. The sensation was intoxicating, a mix of vulnerability and empowerment, and I couldn't help but marvel at the intensity of my emotions.

Theo's eyes never left mine, his gaze filled with desire and determination. "You're not dangerous, Fiora," he said softly. His eyes fixated on my bare chest "You're beautiful."

His words melted the last of my fears. I leaned in, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss, knowing that whatever lay ahead, I wouldn't face them alone.

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I woke up with a sharp ache in my back. It might sound strange, but despite not doing much, my body was covered in hickeys. I was the only one in the room without clothes, the remnants of last night's fire rendering any attempt at dressing pointless. Theo, with his innate gentleness, hadn't let me lay down to avoid getting burned.

Who knew cookie dough could taste so delicious without being baked? I lost count of how many times I melted away in pleasure without even reaching the final act.

This innocent devil had skills beyond my imagination. He fulfilled his promise and managed to keep Zack's words intact. Zack had needed time to decide, and Theo respected that, but I could already tell Theo had accepted me wholeheartedly. Now, all that was left was Zack's approval.

I stretched, feeling the soreness in my muscles, and glanced at Theo. He lay beside me, his eyes already open, watching me with a mixture of amusement and tenderness.

"Good morning," he whispered, his voice husky.

"Morning," I replied, my cheeks flushing at the memory of the night before. "I can't believe we didn't do anything and yet..."

Theo chuckled, tracing a finger along one of the marks on my neck. "Yet here you are, marked all over. I told you I'd make sure you loved every second."

I smiled, feeling a mix of embarrassment and satisfaction. "You definitely did. Zack still needs time right?, but I can tell you've already made up your mind."

He nodded, his expression growing serious. "Yes, I have. But we need Zack's approval. This decision affects all of us."

I sighed, knowing he was right. "I just hope he accepts me too."

Theo leaned in, kissing my forehead. "He will. He just needs to come to terms with it in his way."

I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Theo wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.

Our morning was filled with tender hugs, playful kisses, and a bit of teasing, followed by a shared breakfast that added to the warmth of our connection.

"Take a day off, let's visit the Samragi's place," I suggested a hint of excitement in my voice.

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Why?"

"Because I want to show you something," I exclaimed, my enthusiasm bubbling over.

"What?" His confusion was palpable.

"Just come with me, I'll tell you when we get there."

"Fiora, you know there are murders happening around. How can I take a leave?" He tried to reason with me, concern etched on his face.

"Theo... it's not like you can catch the accused without magic," I countered, giving him a knowing look.

He sighed, acknowledging my point. "Alright, so when are we going?"

"Right now... I mean, after breakfast," I replied, grinning.

"Okay," he agreed, a small smile tugging at his lips.

After breakfast, we made our way to the castle. The atmosphere was surprisingly different. Instead of being immersed in work, the queen and her comrades were spending time with their families, playing and enjoying each other's company as if cherishing every moment together. It was a touching and poignant sight, and it filled me with a sense of peace and camaraderie.

"I like this vibe," I murmured to Theo, who nodded in agreement, his eyes softening as he watched the scene unfold.

I received permission from Samragyi and headed to the mirror room. "Theo, where is Zack?" I asked, my voice steady yet urgent.

"He's here, listening," Theo replied.

Taking a deep breath, I addressed the air, knowing Zack would hear me. "Zack, you once mentioned seeing a lady with eyes like mine, crying while holding a sword in a cave, in a prophecy. Do you remember?"

"Yes, I do. Why? What's happened?" His tone shifted, becoming more serious.

"Can you recognize her if you saw her again?" I asked, my anxiety palpable.

"Yes, of course. But what's going on? You look tense," he responded, his concern evident.

"Just a second," I said, walking up to the dagger. I picked it up using a handkerchief and handed it to Theo. "Hold the knife," I instructed. Theo complied without hesitation. I then placed my other hand over Theo's, ensuring I only touched a small part of the knife.

Instantly, the room shifted, and we were transported to the illusionary world again. "Yes, it worked," I said aloud. "Can you see it?" I asked Theo.

He nodded, looking around in wonder. "What is this place?"

"It's the birthplace of this dagger. Either this dagger absorbed this part of the timeline, or Samragyi Ina embedded it into it. To me, the former seems more logical," I explained.

I released Theo's hands so we could walk around more freely and comfortably. We wandered through the illusionary landscape, waiting for Queen Ina to arrive. Zack bombarded me with questions about the various objects scattered around, his curiosity and concern evident.

Finally, we heard footsteps, and Samragyi Ina entered. Zack took a moment to recognize her, but once he did, his eyes widened in shock. "She's the one," he whispered, the realization hitting him hard.

I turned to Zack, "Is she the woman you saw in your prophecy?"

Zack's expression was a mix of astonishment and recognition. "Yes, it is her," he confirmed, his voice trembling slightly.

"She's breathtaking," Zack and Theo said in unison, their voices blending into an eerily harmonious combination that sent chills down my spine. I glanced at them, astonished. I'd never heard of such a fusion before; it was almost otherworldly.

"Who's there?" Samragyi Ina demanded, her eyes scanning the space. Though we stood right in front of her, she couldn't see us. She even walked through Zack, her form ghostly in its determination.

"Samragyi Ina?" I called out, but there was no response. My mind raced, replaying the events that led us here.

"Do it again," I urged Zack, my voice tinged with urgency.

"Do what?" he asked, puzzled.

"Blend your voice with Theo's and call her," I explained.

Zack nodded and once more merged his voice with Theo's, calling out, "Queen Ina."

"Show yourself," she commanded, her stance shifting into a defensive posture as her palms ignited with flames.

"Ask her, we don't know how to, but we harbour no harm," I urged Zack, who complied without hesitation.

"Who are you? And what do you want?" Queen Ina's voice echoed in the room, her stance still defensive.

Zack took a deep breath. "We are from the future, seeking knowledge about the Ebon Flux," he explained.

"Which era do you belong to? Who's your queen?" Queen Ina demanded, her eyes narrowing.

"Queen Amba is our queen," Zack replied.

"What are your names?" she asked, her suspicion evident.

"Zack and Fiora," he responded.

"The legendary Quintessential and her partner?" she exclaimed, a mixture of awe and confusion colouring her tone.

I lightly tugged on Zack's shirt. "Ask her if she knows us," I whispered urgently.

"Do you know us?" Zack asked, his voice steady.

"Yes, I know you," she replied. "I grew up reading about you and other legendary figures. As for the Ebon Flux, there are not one but two of them. One is Queen Afna and the other..." Her voice trailed off as she heard someone calling her name.

Zack quickly interjected, "And the other...?" But Queen Ina didn't respond. She froze, her eyes glazed over, unresponsive to our repeated calls. It was as if she had never spoken to us.

Frustration and confusion welled up within me as I turned to Zack. "What happened? Why isn't she responding?"

Zack shook his head, equally perplexed. "I don't know, but something interrupted her."

As the illusionary world around us unfolded as earlier with the same storyline and started to fade, I felt a surge of determination. I returned the dagger. The weight of our quest pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I knew we couldn't stop now.

"So, there are two of them?" Zack questioned his brow furrowing in thought.

I nodded. "Yes, I had a gut feeling that the flux doesn't work alone. It wouldn't have survived such a lethal attack otherwise."

Zack's eyes narrowed, his scepticism palpable. "There's a question in my mind. Are you sure we talked to the right person? Her way of speaking was more like our dialect, and when she said, 'I grew up with...' it felt a bit suspicious."

His words made me pause and replay the conversation in my mind. "Now that I think about it, you're right. Her dialect and choice of words were too contemporary as if she were from an era ahead of us, not from the distant past."

Zack nodded, deep in contemplation. "Exactly. If she's from the past, why does she sound like she's from our future? Something doesn't add up."

A shiver ran down my spine. "What if the Ebon flux affects time in ways we don't understand? Or maybe... someone is manipulating the timelines."

Zack's expression turned grave. "We need to be cautious. If someone is tampering with time, it could spell disaster for all of us."

"Let's trust my gut feeling on this," I said, the conviction in my voice unwavering. "I think we did talk to the right person. Queen Ina was always described as enigmatic. None of the texts fully capture her essence. In her husband's biography, she's portrayed one way, while other scriptures depict her entirely differently. We don't know if history was tampered with or if crucial facts about her were omitted."

Zack listened intently, his scepticism giving way to curiosity. "You have a point. But why would she sound like she's from our era?"

I took a deep breath, trying to piece together the puzzle. "If she established the magical world, we have no idea where she got her powers from. Maybe her influence spans across time, or perhaps the Ebon Flux has more to do with her than we realize. Her connection to magic may transcend the linear flow of time."

Zack suddenly straightened his posture, a look of realization dawning on his face. "We need to go back," he said urgently. "We have new light on the murder mystery."

I looked at him, a mixture of surprise and curiosity in my eyes. "What do you mean?"

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A/N

Word count:- 3100

Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well

Here, is the 38th chapter of my book

I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead

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Date:- 17/07/2024