LOGINRavena's POV "You did not care enough to find out," I spat. "That is the same thing."I let that sit for a moment before I crouched down in front of her so we were at the same level, and I looked her directly in the face."And on top of everything," I whispered, "you let your jealousy consume you. For years. Constantly targeting me. Constantly pushing at me over Lucien, as though that man was the center of everythi
Ravena's POV Astrid opened her mouth to argue, but I didn't let her.My hand suddenly connected with her shoulder and I shoved her hard. She went down to the floor with a sharp sound that rang through the receiving room like a statement.The maidservants standing by the walls froze in place.
Ravena's POV The knock came before the sun was fully up.I heard it through sleep, and then Liora's voice at my door, low and apologetic in the way she only got when the news was something she would rather not deliver."Princess. I am sorry to wake you. But it is Astrid."
Ravena's POV Garrick Blackstone had spent years watching me move through his son's household like a woman who was there by mistake. He had never said it to my face. Men like Garrick rarely did. But it had been in every room he entered, in the way he looked through me at pack gatherings, in the way he had said nothing when Lucien started humiliating me publicly.Doris was staring at my face closely. I could see the moment she realized she had said more than she intended, the slight widening of her eyes, the small inward pull of someone reassessing how much they had just handed over."I should not have said all of that," she said."Doris." I looked at her warmly. "You have spent years being the only honest person in that entire household. Please do not stop now on my account."She let out a breath that was almost a laugh. "I just don't want to cause you any distress before your wedding.""You haven’t," I said. "Really. Everything you have told me today I am filing away as gossip and no
Ravena's POV Suddenly, her mother reached over and touched her arm. "Mara. Your tone.""It is fine," I said, before the woman could work herself into a full apology. "Honestly. I would rather she ask me plainly than sit here wondering."Mara's mother looked at me with the gratitude of someone who had been holding their breath and was not sure yet if they were allowed to stop.
Ravena's POV By the time we arrived home, Erik was deeply asleep and I carried him to his room without waking him.Evander was waiting in the study.He looked up when I came in and something in his expression told me before he spoke that this was not a casual conversation."Sit
Ravena's POVAstrid rolled her eyes, but her lips stayed sealed. She looked away like his words meant nothing, like she was above answering to anyone. But I noticed the slight quiver in her jaw and the way her fingers clenched into fists against the dirt.Evander straightened slowly, his gaze cutti
Ravena's POVEvander's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Time for what, Orren? Speak clearly."Orren stepped forward, his boots scraping on the ground. He reached into his vest and pulled out a rolled piece of parchment, holding it out with both hands like it might explode. "The rogue army is on the move
Ravena's POVJust then, Astrid's finger shot out, shaking as she pointed at me. "You manipulated him," she spat. "You always did. You twisted him. Made him think he wanted you when all you ever did was trap him.""Manipulated?" I repeated, the word leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. "Is that what
Ravena's POVI swallowed nervously. "I really don't know, Evander. I can't let her get away. I need to be very careful."The words felt small, weak. Like they didn't belong to someone who had just won a fight in front of hundreds of warriors.But Evander didn't look at me like I was weak.He steppe







