With Malachite rescued, Samphire and Valerian's attention turns to the rapidly failing Crystal Vortex. With their friends at their side, they must forge on across treacherous seas and foreign lands in search of Valerian's stolen Fire Opal, even as they come to terms with their new Elemental Spinning powers.

Samphire fears that she may be confronted with her greatest nightmare, and it becomes apparent to Valerian that he may yet have to take on his biggest, and most unwanted, challenge. As they reach the end of their desperate quest, they must face their families and confront their fears.

Can they save the Crystal Vortex, and the Six Lands? Through their love for each other, can they both find the strength to accept their fates? And will the assassins sent to destroy them succeed, or can their love save them one last time?

Aerin Apeltun is an English writer based in the East of England. She started writing stories as a child, and has always loved reading about fantasy worlds. Aerin now loves to develop and write about her own worlds and mythologies. Having been listed in a number of writing competitions, Aerin's Upper YA Romantasy, Crystal Bloods, was published by Elsewhen Press in February 2025, with a sequel to follow in 2026. Upper YA Fantasy Romance trilogy, The Cursed Weapons, out now, will be followed by a New Adult Historical Romantasy duology scheduled for 2026/7; she is always busy working on something! A Second Class Archer, Aerin has had various careers in school/university administration and insurance, as well as a stint at the local library, but writing is her passion. She also loves to draw, and is a keen fantasy cartographer, designing maps for her worlds. Aerin enjoys travelling, taking inspiration from nature and landscapes for settings and characters in her books.