Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Raven's Pov

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, The man my mother was marrying didn’t look a day over twenty-five, maybe younger than my own boyfriend back in the city. His features were too sharp, too perfect, almost unreal. His skin was flawless, a pale ivory that made his dark crimson eyes even more unnerving.

And by the time I looked back at the three figures, they were gone as if they were never there, how? I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to stare. This is the man my mother is marrying?

“Raven, meet King Devereux,” my mother said in her voice light but I could hear the nervousness beneath it. “He is… well, he’s going to be your stepfather.”

I blinked, shifting my gaze between them. My mother looked out of place next to him, standing there in her modest dress and minimal makeup. Meanwhile, Devereux looked like he belonged on a throne, draped in a deep maroon silk robe with gold embroidery, exuding power and dominance.

This had to be a joke but I forced a polite nod and kept my voice even. “It’s nice to meet you.”

His lips curled into a small, knowing smirk. “The pleasure is mine, Raven.” “Make yourself at home. Velmora is your home now.”

I clenched my jaw and smiled, Like hell it is.

I didn’t bother responding. I had no choice in any of this, but I wouldn’t act like I was happy about it either.

A group of maids appeared, bowing their heads as they gestured for me to follow. They led me through a long corridor with stone walls covered in ancient stones. Everything screamed old money and royalty but in a way that made my stomach churn.

The maids took me to a luxurious chamber where a bath was already prepared. The scent of lavender and honey filled the air and before I could protest, they undressed me, scrubbed every inch of my skin, and dressed me in an elaborate medieval-style gown—soft blue with gold trimmings, the fabric was rich and heavy. When I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I almost laughed.

I looked like I had walked straight out of a British royal movie and I hated it.

The moment I was alone, I collapsed onto the massive bed, groaning. What the hell was my life right now?

--

The next morning, I was thrown into the chaos of Blackthorn University.

I had barely stepped into the school grounds before I was hit with a wave of stares. Everyone was too beautiful—like, impossibly beautiful. Flawless skin, sculpted features, an air of arrogance that made my blood boil and then there was me.

I wasn’t ugly, but compared to these people? I might as well have been invisible.

“New girl!” A voice chirped beside me and I turned to see a blonde bombshell with emerald-green eyes and a playful smirk. She was wearing the same uniform but had customized it slightly—her skirt was shorter and her shirt unbuttoned just enough to be rebellious but acceptable.

“I’m Friessa,” she said, looping her arm through mine like we were already best friends. “And you, my dear, are going to need all the help you can get.”

I frowned but felt glad that someone was talking to me. “Am I that obvious, huh?”

She snorted and grinned at me. “You’re gawking like a tourist babe, You might as well carry a sign that says I don’t belong here.”

“Great, nice observation.” I sighed in frustration.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you the grand tour.” She winked. “You’re lucky you found me before the vultures did.” I chuckled at her words and loved her already. “And you are..”

“I'm Raven, you can just call me Rave.”

“Alright Rave, let me show you wonders.”

She wasn’t lying about the grand tour.

Friessa took me everywhere, the library that looked like it belonged in an ancient castle, the cafeteria where students dined like royalty, the hockey field, the basketball courts, and my favorite, the computer lab, which was nothing short of futuristic.

But then she stopped in front of a particular building with a darkened expression.

“Okay, this is the one place you need to stay away from.”

I followed her gaze and wondered why it's out of bounds. The building wasn’t anything like the others. It was dark and gothic, the inside looked like it was bathed in blood-red lighting. The name Thorns’ Den was carved in sharp, elegant letters above the entrance.

I frowned. “Why?”

Friessa hesitated. “Because you don’t want to get involved with the people who own it.”

“Who owns it?”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “The Four Cursed Princes of Velmora.”

I raised a brow. “You’re joking, right?”

“I wish I was.” She let out a sigh. “They don’t take classes with us. They don’t eat with us. They don’t participate in anything with us and it's for a good reason.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sounds like a bunch of stuck-up rich brats.”

Friessa looked at me like I was insane. “You really don’t know anything about this place, do you?” Before I could respond, the entire school erupted into chaos.

Screams, Gasps and excited whispers almost blasted by ear drums and I turned my head just in time to see them.

The Four Princes.

They walked in perfect sync, moving through the crowd like they owned the world. The students practically worshipped them with girls swooning, guys were either bowing their heads in respect or glaring in jealousy.

I didn’t even look at them properly. I just hissed in irritation because I know they were annoyingly beautiful but what's with the attention.

Seriously? All this fuss over a bunch of guys? I had better things to do than to care about their little fan club.

After school hours and activities, I almost made it home before realizing I had forgotten my iPad in my locker.

“Just leave it till tomorrow,” my driver said.

“No,” I argued. “I need it for my assignment. It’ll only take five minutes.”

He hesitated and sighed. “It’s dangerous to go back alone.”

“It’s six freaking PM,” I huffed and unbuckled the safety belts. “The sun isn’t even down yet.”

After a long pause and consideration, he sighed and relented his efforts.

I rushed back into the school and walked through the now-empty hallways, reaching my locker in record time, Grabbing my iPad and turning to leave only to freeze.

I heard a scream. It was Faint, muffled and fucking scary.

My gaze snapped toward the Thorns’ Den and there was a flicker of light and shadows moving behind the glass walls.

‘Don’t be stupid, Raven.’ My subconscious mind screamed at me but my feet moved anyway very slowly and cautiously, I approached the building with a pounding heart. The moment my fingers touched the door handle, the world and everything around me seems to shift.