LOGINKing Alaric's POVI was in the middle of reviewing border reports when Elder Cedric walked in.He did not knock. He never knocked when the news was urgent, and I had long since stopped expecting it from him. The man had served my father before me, and he carried that history like armour. It gave him a particular kind of boldness that I tolerated because it was always earned."Your Majesty," he said, closing the door
Evander'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.
Astrid's POVPain was the first thing I felt when consciousness dragged me back from the darkness.Excruciating, bone-deep pain that made every breath feel like swallowing glass.I tried to move, but my body wouldn't respond. My limbs felt heavy, useless, like they belonged to someone else.Slowly,
Ravena's POVI looked at him for a long moment, my expression calm.Then I shrugged. "She is not wrong."His mouth fell open, shock flickering across his face."You..." he started, but the words seemed to fail him."You made your choices, Lucien," I said quietly. "You chose Astrid. You chose to ign
Ravena's POVLucien's face twisted with confusion and anger. "What do you mean? She is my mate. We are in love!"His words struck me like a physical blow.I had no feelings for him anymore. I knew that. I had moved on. I had let go.But hearing him say those words, hearing him declare his love for
Ravena's POVLucien's face went pale. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again. He looked like a fish gasping for air."I... I..." he stammered, his gaze shifting nervously between me and Kael.Before he could form a coherent sentence, Kael's voice broke through the tension."Let me make this ea







