Chapter 65

Dianna wakes to find Samkiel in the kitchen, only to learn he returned late and avoided waking her. Feeling insecure and queasy, she misreads his distance until Cameron and Xavier arrive in casual clothes, revealing Samkiel is leaving for Onuna with Vincent. Cameron teases Dianna about her desire for Samkiel, then bargains to keep her privacy if she spends the day with them.

They head to the beach with Neverra, Imogen, Xavier, Logan, and Cameron for a three-on-three volleyball match. The women plot to exploit Logan’s bad right knee and counter Cameron’s spikes. In a tight point, Dianna makes a desperate diving save, seemingly without powers, then discreetly covers a shimmer of glass in the sand, hinting at a flicker of returning magic.

Afterward, on the blanket, Neverra offers food tailored to Dianna’s tastes, softening Dianna’s defenses. They talk about Samkiel’s stubborn heart. Imogen nervously asks to sit with them; Dianna overcomes old jealousy and welcomes her, acknowledging the group’s familial bond.

As the sun lowers and the men race into the surf, Dianna invites Neverra and Imogen to the palace that evening since Samkiel will be gone all night. The acceptance cements new camaraderie, easing Dianna’s loneliness and signaling a shift toward trust and belonging.