LOGINEvander's POV I had not meant to eavesdrop.I had only come to check on them. That was all. Just a quiet check before I retired for the night, making sure the door was secure, that Erik had settled, that Ravena was not sitting alone in the dark the way she sometimes did when the grief crept back in and she thought no one noticed.But then I heard her voice through the cracked door, and I stopped.
Ravena's POV In the days that followed, whenever Evander and I were in the same room, Erik would immediately position himself between us.If Evander tried to sit beside me, Erik would squeeze into the space, using his small body to create a barrier.If Evander reached for my hand, Erik would grab it first and hold tight.If Evander spoke to me, Erik would make those broken sounds, drawing my attention back to him.It was constant and relentless. Almost comical if it were not so heartbreaking.Evander noticed, of course. How could he not?And being the perceptive man he was, he changed his approach.He stopped moving with the commanding presence of a general and stopped filling rooms with his alpha energy.Instead, he became gentle and… soft spoken. Almost scholarly in his behaviour.He thought it would help. Thought Erik would feel less threatened.But it had the opposite effect.Erik became more agitated and fearful.He would stare at Evander with wide, terrified eyes. Like he was w
Ravena's POV I held Erik, my tears soaking into his hair."I'm so sorry," I whispered over and over. "I'm so sorry. This is my fault. All of it."Erik pulled back slightly and looked at me with those haunted eyes. Then he shook his head and reached for the paper and the brush again, his hand still trembling from exhaustion.
Ravena's POV After our discussion, Evander sent for a physician.An older man arrived within the hour, carrying a worn leather bag, and moving with the calm efficiency of someone who had seen everything.He examined Erik thoroughly, checking his injuries, his leg, his throat, his overall condition.
Ravena's POV We rode without stopping. Without rest. Without mercy for ourselves or the horses.The journey to Ironhold would normally take a full day. But we covered the distance in half that time.By the time the city walls came into view, the horses were lathered with sweat. We were exhausted, but none of that mattered.
Ravena's POV Evander's words broke something inside me.All the grief I had buried. All the pain I had locked away. All the guilt I had carried for years.It all came pouring out."My brother," I gasped between tears. "He might have left someone behind. A son. His fle
Lucien's POVAfter seeing Ravena leave with her servants, a deep pain began to spread through my chest. It was sharp at first, then slow and burning, crawling through my veins as if my own body had betrayed me. Each step I tried to take grew heavier until my knees almost buckled.Gritting my teeth,
Ravena's POV“Ethan, this is not something small. You cannot just throw the word betrayal without proof. If what you are saying is true, then it could change everything. Evidence must be clear.”“Do you think I speak lightly? I watched, I listened, I survived when I should have died. Tell me, Raven
Ravena's POVLucien’s head snapped toward me, his shoulders stiff. “Good news? You think this is good news?!”I held his glare, letting him see the truth I had carried for far too long. My heart thumped wildly, but I calmed myself with deep breaths. Then, word by word, I gave him the one thing he n
Ravena's POVI hurried through the palace gates, my cloak brushing the stones. The guards straightened at the sight of me, their eyes widening when I demanded entrance, but none dared block my way again.The corridors echoed with the sound of my footsteps as I approached the throne room. I had no t







