Mag-log inRiley’s POVEzra didn't come back after that day.Every morning, I sat at the long dining table for breakfast, looking at his empty chair and hoping to see him walk through the doors. I even walked past his bedroom door late at night, stopping just to listen for any sound inside. But there was nothing. Silence.Meanwhile, the whole palace was celebrating. Everyone was thrilled about the new baby. No one seemed to notice or care that Ezra was gone. It made me furious, but there was nothing I could do about it.Two days passed, and the execution of the innocent civilians was set for tomorrow morning.On the night before the execution, Soren threw a huge party to celebrate Everly’s pregnancy.The main hall was packed with nobles. Everyone crowded around my mother, showering her with fake praise and congratulations, acting as if they hadn't looked down on her just a week ago. I watched her laughing and glowing in the middle of the room, but I couldn't feel happy for her.To her, this baby
Riley’s POVI sitting in the glass gazebo in the palace gardens, holding an open book on my lap. But I hadn't read a single word in two hours.My skin felt tight with anxiety, every cell in my body waiting for the burner phone in my pocket to buzz with a message from Axel. The execution was scheduled for less than 3 days.If Axel didn't strike soon, Uncle Jo, the young healer girl, and dozens of others would be dead.Suddenly, a tall shadow fell over my book.I looked up. Ezra was standing at the edge of the gazebo, his heavy dark coat pulled over his shoulders, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He didn't ask for permission. He just stepped inside and sat down on the stone bench right next to me."You're not turning the pages," he said softly, his eyes fixed on the distant tree line."I'm…thinking about the plot," I replied, forcing my voice to sound casual as I looked back down at the paper."I was thinking too," Ezra said, leaning back against the bench. "So I did a little dig
Riley’s POVMy stomach plunged into a fathomless pit. The air in the room felt thick, suffocating, as Ezra’s dark gaze locked onto me like a predator holding its prey in its sights."Where have you been, Riley?" he repeated, his voice terribly quiet, a low rumble that vibrated through the floorboards.I swallowed the lump of sheer panic in my throat, forcing my hands to stop trembling. I needed a lie—a believable, devastating lie that would stop him from digging into my night."I was out," I said, keeping my voice as flat as possible as I walked over to the vanity and unbuttoned my coat. "On a date."Ezra froze. The shadows across his face seemed to darken instantly. He stood up from the armchair, his massive frame towering in the center of the room."A date?" he repeated, the words dripping with dangerous disbelief. In two long strides, he bridged the distance between us, his hands slamming down on the wooden surface on either side of me, trapping me against the vanity. "You were out
Riley’s POVNow every tick of the clock felt like a countdown to the public execution.I started planning the second I got back to my room.I knew the severe injuries those innocent people had suffered from the broadcast clips. If they weren't treated soon, some of them wouldn't even survive until morning.But getting into the royal underground dungeons was nearly impossible.Ezra was out of the question. After Mateo’s escape, the microscopic shred of trust between us had completely shattered. If I even hinted at going near the dungeons, he would lock me in this room himself.I had no choice. I had to rely on the side of myself I had buried: the Veilwalker.I pulled my encrypted laptop from the hidden compartment under my floorboards, booted it up, and logged onto the deep web network.On these dark, untraceable forums, the name Veilwalker was legendary. In the past, I had been the anonymous ghost healer who performed miracles for those the official Healer Association refused to touch
Riley’s POVI stormed back to my room, the heavy wooden door shutting out the echoes of the ballroom, but it couldn't shut out the roaring chaos in my mind.Standing before the vanity, I tore off my jewelry and rubbed the makeup from my face with shaking, aggressive strokes.Suddenly, a sharp knock rattled the door.My heart instantly skipped a beat, leaping into my throat.Could it be Ezra? Maybe he had rethought everything. Maybe he had realized those people were innocent and came to tell me he would help them, that he wouldn't let his father murder them.I flew across the room and ripped the door open.But the face waiting for me in the dim hallway didn't belong to Ezra.It was Viola.The crushing weight of disappointment hit me so hard I felt physically sick. Viola stood there looking apologetic, her silver dress still catching the light of the corridor."Riley," she said softly, stepping into my room without being invited. "I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I promised I would
Riley’s POVLocked away in the dark, cramped wardrobe, the rest of the world seemed to fade. Despite the terrifying danger of being caught, a strange sense of comfort washed over me. For a few fleeting moments, there were no royal expectations, no fake engagements, and no Soren. There was only the heat of Ezra’s body and the steady, calming beat of his heart against my chest.But we couldn't stay hidden forever.The maid's footsteps finally faded out of the room, and the heavy hallway doors clicked shut. Ezra waited a few seconds, his senses tracking her departure, before slowly pushing the wooden doors open. The dim light of the sitting room felt blinding after the darkness.As we stepped out onto the hardwood floor, I immediately began smoothing down the fabric of my dress, my hands shaking slightly from the leftover adrenaline. I avoided his eyes, suddenly feeling the crushing weight of reality rushing back into the room. Downstairs, his engagement party was still waiting.Before I
Riley’s POVOlivia’s face went white.“N-No! Wait—” she shrieked as two of Ezra’s men strode toward her.They didn’t hesitate for even a second. One grabbed her by the arm. The other reached for her shoulder like they really meant to drag her all the way back to the blasted camp and toss her into t
Riley’s POVMy eyes widened a little, stunned.I never thought that warrior would pick me as his opponent.Not because I was scared of him. But warriors and healers aren’t even on the same playing field when it comes to strength or combat skills.Like Danica once said, healers are usually protected
Riley’s POVWhat?I could barely believe what I just heard.Ms. Bright just said I was in Ezra’s team?But that couldn’t be right. Something’s wrong!For a second, the entire field was completely silent. Then chaos erupted. Everyone started whispering to each other, some girls even screamed. Everyo
Riley’s POVMe and Ezra Ravenshire are mates.This has to be the worst news ever.He took a few steps, then turned back when he saw I wasn’t following. “Hurry. Didn’t you beg me to come to this stupid thing? What are you waiting for now?”I let out a pained groan in my head.Still, I had no choice b







