Gwen POVToday, the brothers will be summoned by the council to finally make a decision concerning the kingdom. And honestly? It’s about time. Things are still in shambles. There is no clear leadership, tension in every corridor of the palace, whispers among the guards…, and even the air feels uneasy.I don’t mean to sound like a snob, truly, but part of me wishes I had a council meeting of my own to attend…one that concerned my kingdom. But mine… mine is still in ruins. My people are scattered across lands we no longer control, stripped of their homes, their pride, and their peace. I couldn’t protect them from Morgan’s invasion. I can’t help the ache that settles in my chest whenever I think of what they must be going through. The suffering. The fear.And the worst part? I don’t know how to fix it.I don’t know how to be a queen to people I can’t even reach.“Why do you look so blue?”I turned at the sound of the familiar voice, finding Elisha walking toward me with his usual c
Asher’s POVSince bringing Raven back from the Hollow Valley, I’ve been forced to confront a part of myself I’ve long tried to ignore.For a while, it was simple…I wanted her, yes, but mostly because of what she represented. The throne. The Power. A future carved in my image. I’d told myself I’d be a better king than Ansel, more capable, more balanced. And maybe that’s still true. But lately… It feels wrong to look at Raven and see only a path to power.She’s more than that. God, she’s so much more than that.She stood before Morgan and survived. She carries the next heir and still walks like a storm wrapped in silk. To reduce her to a crown or a womb is not just foolish; it’s a disservice to everything she is.But knowing that doesn’t change the storm brewing in my chest.Because Ansel isn’t fit to lead. He’s reckless, emotional, and too hungry for control. And Rowan—Rowan is dying right before our eyes. None of us say it, but we all feel it. The way his strength fades, the qui
Ansel POVI haven’t been able to quell the growing anger simmering in my veins. Every time I look at Raven, surrounded by praise and blind loyalty, I feel the rage tighten like a vice around my chest.She’s being reckless…utterly, maddeningly careless.All this talk of prophecy, of destiny, of being a goddess sent to save us… I’m tired of pretending to care. What use is a prophecy if it gets her killed before she even understands what she’s meant to do?Morgan is still alive. Her army is vast and merciless. If she descends upon us, Raven won’t survive…Not in her current state, not with that child in her womb. She should be hidden, protected, mine. But she insists on playing the heroine. It’s infuriating.All she needs to do is stay by my side and bear the heir this kingdom needs. That’s her only duty. Her only real purpose.But no. She keeps defying me. Acting like her choices matter more than mine. And what’s worse? My own brothers, Rowan and Asher,…they’ve turned their backs o
Raven POV By the time I woke up, Rowan was already gone. I don’t know why that hurt me so much—maybe because I wasn’t ready to let go, even for a moment. The daylight spilling through the window told me the morning was well underway, so I forced myself out of bed.I slipped quietly down the hall to my room and drew a long, hot bath, hoping the water would soothe my restless thoughts. Today, I planned to go into town to see the people, to stand before them, and to be their symbol of hope. I wasn’t sure what words to say, or how to lift their spirits, but if just my presence could help, then I was more than willing to show up.After a short while, Maria, my maid, came in to help me get ready. I was grateful—her gentle hands and calming presence were exactly what I needed. She styled my hair beautifully, weaving delicate braids and soft curls that framed my face perfectly. Paired with the flowing dress, she helped me into, I looked almost ethereal, as if I belonged to another worl
Kael POVI didn’t expect her to accept me. Not tonight and definitely not so easily. But whatever lucky star is shining on me, I’ll worship it for the rest of my life…because Loira, this beautiful, wild, powerful woman, has finally said yes.She’s finally mine.I know I should mark her now and claim her before the moment slips away before she changes her mind—but I can’t. Not like that. Not here, with the scent of war and fear still clinging to our skin.She deserves more than that.Her neck was tilted ever so slightly, that soft, vulnerable spot exposed to me looking so inviting. Tempting. The place where I could bind her to me forever. My wolf howled in my chest, desperate, restless to mark my mate.“Thank you,” I said, my voice trembling despite myself. “Thank you for accepting me… but I can’t mark you here.”“Why not?” she asked, eyes wide with confusion, her voice barely a whisper.Her tongue darted out to wet her lips—a small, nervous gesture I’ve seen from her a hundred time
Loira POVI released a breath I didn’t know I was holding when I saw Raven today.Guilt clung to me like a second skin, heavy and cold. I couldn’t help but feel like it was my fault. We almost lost her. I should have seen it coming, should have done more, been more careful.Still… the way she returned, still fierce, standing tall even after everything…reminded me just how strong she truly is. Though I don’t know if I can say the same for her heart or her mind.She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. And I wonder what kind of scars lie beneath that calm.I stood outside, leaning on the old stone railing, watching the stars blink slowly into the night sky when a voice broke my thoughts.“What are you doing on your own out here?”I turned.I turned and saw Kael standing just a few steps away, his arms crossed loosely over his chest, eyes flickering with concern beneath the fading twilight.“Kael?” I said, a little surprised. “What are you doing out here?”He gave a small shru
Raven POV “Rowan, I want to talk to you.”He turned toward me, his eyes soft despite the surrounding chaos. “Are you okay?”“Yeah, I just need to talk.”He took my hand and led me away from the others, down the dim corridor to the balcony overlooking the forest. The cool breeze brushed against my skin as if trying to soothe the storm of emotions inside me.Leaning on the railing, he kept his gaze fixed on me. “You said you needed to talk. So talk to me, Raven.”Before he could speak, I closed the distance and kissed him. His hands moved to the back of my neck, pulling me closer until I was completely enveloped by his warmth. His mouth claimed mine with a fierce tenderness, and I lost myself in him.Tears began to fall before I even realized it.“Raven, what’s wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?” he asked, concern threading his voice.Rowan’s arms tightened around me, and I clung to him like he was the last solid thing in a world that kept trying to pull me apart.He whispered in my ear,
Raven POV I was overwhelmed.The room blurred around me, voices fading into static as I closed my eyes and tried to understand it all. Selene. Morgan. The dark thing beneath the Veil. Me—a key to something I never asked to open.I took a deep breath, grounding myself in the memory of Rowan’s voice, Gwen’s touch on my arm, and the flicker of firelight on the walls.“When Kelvin helped us escape,” I said quietly, opening my eyes, “I ripped her heart out. I saw it turn to ash in my hand. But…”Everyone turned to me.“I have a feeling she’s still alive.”No one spoke for a beat. Then the Priestess nodded slowly, her face grim. “Yes. That won’t be enough to kill her. Not completely. Not with the part of protecting her soul.”“So what did we do?” Ansel asked. “We just bought ourselves time?”“Exactly,” I said. “That’s all it was. A pause in the storm. And now we need to use it—plan, prepare.”“There’s something else you should know,” I said, drawing their attention once again. My voice w
Rowan’s POVThe room had quieted, but my mind hadn’t.“So… what about Kelvin?” I asked, breaking the silence smoke. “What was that? Why did he help us?”Raven looked up from where she sat, wrapped in a blanket that seemed far too thin for the weight on her shoulders.“Honestly… I don’t know,” she said quietly. “He is now… different. Not like before.”I frowned. “Not cruel?”She shook her head. “Not as cruel. He wasn’t the same man who locked me in chains, who stood there while I screamed. I’ll never forgive him for what he did, but this time—he helped. And I don’t know why.”That unsettled me.Kelvin was never the type to act without motive. Whatever his reason was, it couldn’t be simple mercy.Ansel leaned forward, eyes on me now. “Then what do we do about the Priestess, Rowan?”I didn’t answer right away. I looked toward the dagger on the table. The ashes still faintly marked the wood beneath it. The Queen may be gone—or worse, not gone—but the Priestess deceived us.“She fooled