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 POVThe marble steps leading up to the palace felt colder than the morning. Astrid, clad in a white cloak, walked by my side with her chin held high and her eyes sharp.As we passed through the bronze doors and entered the throne hall, we saw guards stationed along the walls and the King s
Evander’s POVI chose not to answer her and instead focused on tending to the cut on her face. Even with the smoke in the air, her eyes stayed locked on mine, shining brightly.“Stay still,” I whispered.I regretted not stopping her from going to the ridge at that moment. But unfortunately, I could
Ravena's POVOne night, the camp was filled with screams and explosions that shook the ground under our cots. I woke with my heart in my throat and the taste of smoke in my mouth. Mira was already holding the lamp, her face pale.We quickly pulled on our royal guard uniforms, made of dark leather w
Ravena's POVBefore Evander could respond, I chimed in. “Of course not. He specifically requested to speak with just me.”“But we…” Rhea started, but I gestured for her to stop.“Just… go and rest. We’ve had a really long day.”I sensed their curious stares and their silent questions, and when our







