Chapter 3

The rain started early in the morning.

It was a gentle sound, just a whisper on the rooftops of the quiet woodland village where Ivy had spent many years hiding. Cassian sensed it as a warning—the type of storm that begins softly before becoming fierce.

He stood at the edge of the woods wearing a dark wolfskin cloak and watched the small cottage where Ivy lived. His heart pounded in his chest like a drum in battle. He did not want to do this. She didn’t want to argue with her. “However, if she was thinking about going back to Silver More...”

He needed to make her stop.

Cassian walked through the fog quietly like a skilled fighter, his boots making little noise on the wet leaves. The first thing he noticed was the smell of rosemary and ash. Then I felt a comforting warmth—Aelin was near. “Little.” “Not guilty.” Strong.

The door opened slowly before he had a chance to knock.

“I sensed you were approaching,” Ivy said gently, her voice steady even though he noticed the tightness in her shoulders.

“You always follow through.” He walked in and took off his soaked cloak, showing the leather armor he was wearing underneath. Ivy frowned.

“Are you expecting a fight, Cass?”

“I think there’s going to be a mistake,” he said, looking straight at her. “I came to prevent you from doing it.”

Aelin glanced up from her cozy spot by the fireplace, her silver eyes shining brightly. “Hey, Uncle Cass!”

He became gentle right away. “Good morning sunshine.” He bent down, messed up her hair, and gave her a small package wrapped in paper. “A tasty treat from the local market.”

Aelin eagerly ripped open the package and took out a sweet pineberry tart. Ivy felt a pain in her chest as she observed the conversation. Cassian had been more like a father to Aelin than Jayden ever had the opportunity to be. She understood just how much Cassian cared for both of them, even though he had never said it directly.

As Aelin ran to her bedroom to enjoy her snack and play with her dolls, Ivy signaled for Cassian to take a seat.

“I’m going back,” she said before he had a chance to say anything else.

Cassian tightened his jaw. “You don’t need to.” “We can go now.” “Leave and don’t come back this time.” “I know places where no Lycan, no prophecy, and no Jayden can ever find you.”

“It’s no longer just about me,” she stated. “It focuses on her.” “Something is stirring within her, Cassian.” “There’s something out here that I can’t keep her safe from.”

“Next, we look for someone who can do that.”

“Nobody else is around.” “Her magic comes from her royal blood.” “It’s inviting her back home even if I don’t want to accept it.”

Cassian stood with his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Jayden should not be told.” “He only brought you sadness.” “He left you behind.”

“Ivy said no with determination as she stood up to confront him.” “He didn’t leave me behind.” Someone lied to him. “Changed or controlled.” I hurried to defend Aelin before anyone else could take advantage of her.

“You don’t have any obligations to him.”

“I am grateful to her for everything.”

Cassian looked away his voice shaky. “I could have provided you with a good life.” A genuine one. “Secure and out of sight... with me.”

Ivy gasped.

“I understand,” she said softly. “You did provide that to us.” “Better than I ever expected.” “But you know, just like I do, that staying hidden forever was never going to be possible.”

A long silence hung in the air between them, with only the sound of the fire crackling in the fireplace.

When Cassian finally looked back, his eyes were intense, not out of anger but from a deeper feeling. “Then allow me to go with you.”

Ivy opened and closed her eyes quickly. “What? ”

“If you’re going back to Silver More,” he said as he moved closer, “you won’t be doing it by yourself.” “I will go.” “I’ll protect you, stay out of sight, and take down anyone who tries to hurt her.”

"Cassian..."

“I promised myself on the night I found you hurt and scared in the snow holding that baby close to you,” he said in a low voice. “I will keep you safe until the very end.” “Do you believe that promise is no longer valid just because you're returning to a dangerous situation?”

She put her shaking hand on his chest. “It will be risky.”

He smiled slyly. That’s great! I have felt bored.

Ivy let out a little laugh even though her eyes were shining with tears that she hadn’t cried yet. “You are impressive.”

“No,” he said, his voice heavy. “I’m simply not like him.”

“That made her quiet.”

Just before she could respond, a loud bang hit the window. Ivy hurried and pulled the curtain aside. A raven perched on the windowsill, observing her. Its eyes shone like silver before it flew off into the stormy sky.

“Cassian said ‘A message.’” “They are becoming more daring.”

Ivy nodded and started to pull out a stack of old leather journals from under the floorboards. Inside one of the books, carefully placed between old drawings and dried plants, was a sealed scroll.

She broke the wax with shaking fingers.

Cassian saw her eyes move over the page, and he noticed her breath catch.

“What is it?”

She gave it to him.

His eyes grew dim as he read.

“The moon festival is coming soon.” The prince strolls by himself. Your smell stays in the woods. He recalls. “Come back before the fire goes out, or you will be chased like a traitor.”

He snarled. “Seraphine?”

“She has to realize that I’m nearby.” Ivy massaged her temples. “This alters everything.”

“No,” Cassian said, holding tightly onto the scroll. “This only proves what we were worried about.” “The palace is keeping an eye on things.” Jayden is looking. “If you leave now, you can't come back.”

Ivy glanced at Aelin’s room.

“I didn't intend to.”