All Chapters of THE RAVEN KING’S BRIDE : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWELVE (THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR)THIRD PERSON'S POV“What the hell is wrong with Elara?” Rowland’s voice thundered through the chamber. The veins in his neck pulsed as he slammed his fist against the marble table.The Queen Mother didn’t flinch. She only shook her head slowly, her expression twisting in disgust. “I placed her there. I forced the marriage. I ensured the union was sealed with royal decree. And now this, this utter foolishness? She dare threaten me here..in this same room, where I raised her up and groomed her”“Calm down, Your Grace,” one of the royal attendants stammered, but the Queen Mother’s glare was enough to silence him.Rowland began pacing. “You think I don’t know something’s wrong? That woman, Elara isn’t the same. She’s playing a dangerous game. Just a week ago we were together in Princetown. She swore she’d destroy Alaric and do anything to marry me. Anything. Now suddenly she looks at me like I’m filth. What in the gods’ name happened?”“She was ne

CHAPTER FOURTEENELARA’S POV**Morning light spilled across my bed. By the time the sun finally rose, I was already up, dressed, and sitting still while Valerie adjusted the last heavy layer of my gown.I was getting used to these clothes. The weight of them, the layers, the slow breaths I had to take so the corset would not suffocate me. It was nothing like home. I missed my Tshirts and joggers but right here, right now, this was the only body I had to wear.“Are you ready, my lady?” Valerie asked softly.I nodded and she gave me a warm smileWe left the room together and headed down the long staircase. The stone beneath my feet felt colder than usual. Maybe it was the morning breeze or maybe it was the strange feeling that kept tightening in my stomach.As we reached the first landing, a shadow stepped in front of us. Tall. Sharp. Silent. I felt him before I saw him. His presence was cold and dark like the blade he probably carried.He bowed slightly to Valerie and whispered somethi

CHAPTER SIXTEENRowland moved to the front of the formation, pretending like he belonged there, pretending like the weight on his chest wasn’t tightening with every passing second. The night air was cold, but his palms were warm, almost sweating. He watched the head guard, Mason, walk ahead with a confidence that irritated him. Mason stood tall, sword drawn, ready to give orders like this whole chaos was under his control.Rowland studied him with a frisky expression. No matter how long he stared, one thing stayed clear in his mind. He wasn’t ready to take orders from anyone. Not Mason, not the king, not even fate. And he definitely wasn’t ready to die for any of them either.All this loyalty they all pretended to have… it was a facade. His own facade was slowly cracking, but he pushed it down. Alaric dies tonight. That was the only thing keeping his breaths steady. Everything happening here was nothing but a cover to help Elara escape through the route he had planned.He just needed

CHAPTER EIGHTEENELARA’S POVWhen we finally stopped in front of the inn, the others stepped down first to speak with the owners of it and I stayed back, watching the small house glowing with candlelight. Women danced inside, skirts flying around them as drums pounded like their hearts had been waiting for a night to celebrate. Perhaps this was their own version of happiness.A king arriving usually meant fear. But tonight… maybe everything would change. Maybe not for the better. Maybe not for me.“The bandits didn’t attack again?”Valerie looked at me like she wasn’t sure if she should answer. That alone made my suspicion grow. I could feel something had happened… something I missed.Valerie stepped close, her voice low.“What happened? I was asleep all through,” I whispered.She pressed her lips together.“The bandits came,” she finally said.My breath hitched.“But his majesty listened to your suggestion. He placed soldiers in hiding. They ambushed the bandits before they reached

CHAPTER TWENTYELARA’S POVThe world felt like it turned the moment the herald’s voice boomed across the courtyard.“King Alaric of Earldom.”He stood proud in his majesty.“Queen Elara of Earldom.”My name seemed to echo louder than his. It rolled into the air, heavy and sharp, like everyone was waiting to see if I would crumble under it.I stood in front of the palace. It was massive, towering over us like it could swallow kingdoms whole. Earldom’s palace was big, but this… this was something else. Every marble step, every golden pillar screamed wealth and power. I felt my breath hitch and before I could stop it, fear crawled up my spine.Alaric noticed.It was really obviousEven though things had been awkward between us since… that unfortunate naked moment. We had barely looked at each other the entire ride here. But the second my hand shook, his fingers brushed mine. Slow. Careful. Like he was asking for permission without using words.I didn’t pull away.He took my hand anyway.