EDINA POV"I'm sensing you're not really in a good mood," Baelorin said casually, swirling his wine as he watched me from across the long dining table.I didn’t reply. Just cut into the piece of meat on my plate grudgingly.He leaned back, unbothered as ever. “I mean, I thought being out of that dreadful wedding dress might’ve lightened your mood a bit.”Still, silence.Because I was angry. At everything. At everyone. At Maerwynn, for lying to me. At Rhaenan, for still looking at me like I was something breakable. At Baelorin—because… just because.Then, the memory hits me like a slap.The raven.The fucking raven. Watching me from the window while I bathed. While I stood naked and dripping with water and roses.I feel the flush crawl up my neck and settle hot in my cheeks.“Huh,” he muttered, lifting his goblet with an infuriating smirk. “At least I get a blush. Progress.”I grit my teeth, glaring harder at the mutton on my plate. If I stabbed it one more time, it might qualify as a
MAERWYNN POVI ran my fingers over the lapels of my green dress, willing the cold to flee from me. It wasn’t even that cold out. But sometimes the air in Lyria felt heavier—like it knew what we were about to do and didn’t approve.“It’s going to be a two-day journey to the Celestial Court,” Caelora was saying, her wings tucked gently behind her as she pulled on her gloves. “Two days of cramped carriages and stiff legs.”I huffed a dry laugh. “You say that like it’s worse than sneaking into the Eclipse Room.”She grinned. “It’s a different kind of torment.”Behind us, the final preparations were being made in the courtyard. Three carriages stood lined and gleaming, polished silver wheels catching the morning light. The horses—sleek and alert—were being fitted with ceremonial harnesses.Guards paced near the gates. Woven baskets filled with enchanted scrolls, bottles of twilight wine, and wrapped bundles of fresh moonvine flowers were being loaded into the first carriage. Gifts for the
EDINA POV"You look paler than usual. Are you alright?" Mae asked with a pinched brow, her eyes studying me carefully.I nodded as I picked at my vegetables."Baelorin didn’t hurt you, did he?" Maerwynn asked."No, he didn’t… he’s not like that." I sighed and grabbed my goblet, drinking a good amount of water. Honestly, I didn’t know what to believe Baelorin was anymore. "I’m just tired. I’m fine."She nodded and focused on her food again."We’ve informed the Celestial Court of our arrival tomorrow.""You’re going somewhere?" I asked, pausing mid-sip to stare between Maerwynn and Valen. I didn’t know where the rest went, but it was just us three having dinner.Maerwynn sighed. "Yes, we’ve received a welcome from some courts about visiting and informing them about the war.""So you’re trying to form alliances.""Yes, it’s probably for the good," Valen said. "Kyante is making her move, and fast.""Edina," Maerwynn said. "Is there anything you can tell us about Kyante, being that you sta
EDINA POVHow I managed to wear the same gown for five days was beyond me.The wine stain had long since dried, now a sour blotch near the hem. The fabric clung to my skin, heavy with dust and old sweat, and my hair—gods, my hair felt like it could snap off in strands. I hadn’t taken a proper bath since the wedding day, which felt like a dream someone else had lived.But I kept the dress on.Maybe it was rebellion. Maybe it was grief. Maybe I didn’t know who I was without the weight of that silk and guilt dragging me down.Today marked the first time I’d be returning to the Twilight Court since Baelorin claimed his Absolute and took me away.I heard voices echoing from the hallway as I stepped out of my room—low, tense, male voices.I followed them.Rhaenan’s voice rang out first. “We leave at once. I don’t want to stay here longer than I have to.”He sounded strained. I stepped closer.He was standing in the hall with Baelorin, the two locked in what looked like a heated—but restrain
MAERWYNN POVThe great chamber was quieter than usual.No courtiers. No echoing arguments. Yet. Just the crackle of the fire in the corner hearth, the subtle rustle of Caelora’s silk robes as she paced behind the central table, and the sound of Valen’s thumb drumming once—twice—against the edge of the map stretched beneath our hands.I stood opposite them, arms folded across my chest, trying to still the unease that had coiled into my bones since the decision was made.We were going into the Cidron. I was going into the Cidron.And if I didn’t do it exactly right, I might not come back out.Caelora finally stopped pacing and turned to face us both, her silver hair falling like water over her shoulders, her expression unreadable—but her eyes were sharp and focused. “There are rites,” she said, and the gravity in her voice made the air pull tight. “It’s not just a matter of walking into the Cidron and expecting her to welcome you like an old friend. You’re going into a god’s sanctum, M
MAERWYNN POV“It’s too dangerous,” Valen said, his voice low and hard, his hands splayed across the ancient war map stretched beneath him. Candlelight flickered across the etched runes and valleys, casting dancing shadows that mirrored the tension in the room.His brows lifted as he looked up at Thalen, who stood opposite, arms crossed, face unreadable.“We’re still watching the development,” Thalen said with a shrug. “But the water level keeps dropping. It’s like the sea’s retreating on purpose. A drought may be coming.”“I’ll raise the tides when the time comes,” Valen replied, jaw tense. “But we cannot risk the humans reclaiming land again. If Kyante strikes through Ferngrove, we’ll lose more than territory—we’ll lose lives we can’t afford.”“What if she doesn’t?” I said, rising from where I’d been quietly seated all this time. “What if she doesn’t go through the sea? What if she breaks through the barrier?”Valen’s gaze snapped to me, his frown deepening. “Impossible. Kyante can’t