Mag-log inRAVENI pushed the door to my chambers open and stepped inside, my breath hitching.Calani was already there, sitting on the edge of the couch. Her hands were gripping each other tightly in her lap, her face pale.The moment the door clicked shut, she stood up, walked over to me, and took my hand in hers."Sit down, Raven," she said, her voice unusually firm.I let her pull me toward the couch, my pulse picking up. "Calani, what is this? The maid said it was urgent."She looked straight into my eyes. "I think it's time I told you about your mother."I gasped, a sudden bolt of surprise cutting through the strange numbness in my chest. I sat completely still, anticipating what she would say next."I'll start with this," Calani said, her grip tightening on my fingers. "Your family as you know it—the Diernas. They are not your biological family.""What?" I yanked my hand back and stood up in disbelief. "What the hell are you talking about?""Your mother's name was Matilda.""No, she could
RAVEN“Stand straight, Raven,” Denis instructed, stepping back to view me with a critical eye. “When a high lord bows to you tonight, you do not tilt your head down to match him. You only incline your chin slightly. You are the prince's consort now. Act like it.”I adjusted my posture, ignoring the stiffness in my lower back. “Like this?”“Better. Now, let us try a different circumstance,” Denis said, shifting his position to play the role of an elder. He frowned, his expression turning cold and accusatory. “Consort Raven, the pack rumors say it is impossible for a human male to carry the Royal line. What do you have to say to the council?”The words hit too close to home. It was almost exactly what Eilís had spat at me just an hour ago.I took a breath, forcing my voice to remain completely steady. “The Goddess drank my blood and accepted the ritual, Lord Elder. If you have questions about Her choice, I suggest you take them up with the priests at the altar, not me.”Denis’s harsh e
EILÍS“You regret it now, don't you?” Camden smirked at me, pulling on his hiking boots.I rolled my eyes. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”“But for real though, you should give him the benefit of the doubt. He did it for both of you.”“Drop it,” I hissed, turning away from him and picking up my arrow.But of course, Camden continued. “But you agree he's right. It's not like you had something planned. There was literally nothing you could have done to stop it. You're just annoyed that he listened to your father.”I slammed the arrow back down in anger. “Drop it, Camden!”“I just want you to see reason. He didn't purposely hide it from you. You're the one blocking the bond! You're enduring it!”“Enough! He's human! He shouldn't feel like I'm controlling him! I don't want him to feel overwhelmed because he feels what I'm feeling!”“But you're feeling what he's feeling!” Camden shouted back. “You're taking away his aches, his emotions, you're taking it all into yourself! You bottle it all up f
RAVEN“Eilís, answer me!”He ignored me. His gaze remained fixed on the window.“You let him take control!” When he still ignored me, I took a step forward and hit his back in anger. He didn't even flinch. “Stop ignoring me!”He finally turned to look at me. “Apparently it's one thing we agree on.” His eyes flickered down to my stomach.I gasped. “Eilís.”“You got what you wanted, didn't you? My consort?”“Why are you acting like I purposely wanted to get pregnant so I could become the ‘consort’? It was the only way to avoid punishment for treason! It's not like you had any other way!”“You should have waited. You should have asked me. You should have consulted me before you did it!” he threw back.I threw up my hands. “We've argued over this before! You know I had to do it. There was no other solution!”“You should have told me! And not decided on your own! You should have trusted me!”“I do trust you,” I said, my voice dropping softly when I saw how deeply I’d really hurt him. “And
RAVEN My gaze was locked on Eilís. Why was he frowning? Why wasn't he happy? I was finally accepted. Shouldn't he be happy? “Go forth and celebrate, and tonight we shall hunt!” the King said. The howls seemed to get higher before everybody slowly dispersed, until I was left with the King sitting and grinning from ear to ear. Eilís slowly stood up, the frown not moving from his face. I took his arm before he could walk past me. “What's wrong?” When he raised his eyes to meet mine, I was shocked at the anger I saw there. “We need to talk,” he said, pulling away and walking out. I stared at his back, my heart suddenly in my throat. I didn't remember doing anything wrong. Did I do something to annoy him? “Raven,” the King called before I could go after Eilís. “Yes, sire?” I turned and bowed as I walked toward him. He gave me a smile, his gold eyes bright and glowing. “You don't need to do that anymore.” He chuckled, raising a hand to rest on my shoulder. “I will send Denis to ass
RAVENThe King stepped down from his throne, his presence dominating the dais. I stood completely still by the middle pillar, the heavy fabric of my robe suddenly feeling like lead against my skin. He wasn't smiling anymore, but the dark satisfaction on his face was undeniable."Today, we honor the preservation of the royal lineage," the King began, his booming voice cutting through the silence of the hall. "The Goddess has seen fit to bless this house, and the pack will witness the official binding of the heir."I glanced at Eilís again, but he hadn't moved an inch. His posture was rigid, his hands clasped tightly in front of him.m. Why was he so still?"His Grace," the King continued, gesturing toward me with a wide hand, "has fulfilled his initial duty to the crown. Therefore, he will take his rightful place among us."He turned slightly toward the side of the dais, where two priests dressed in grey robes stood waiting. Between them, they carried a large silver tray. The flickerin
RAVENA strange, creeping warmth started settling under my skin. It was a low, persistent heat that made my clothes feel just a bit too tight. I lifted a hand, pressing the back of my knuckles against my forehead. It felt warm.Maybe I'm just coming down with a fever, I thought, letting out a slow
RAVEN‘You have my blessings. You shall have the gift you so desire.’The voice was faint, fading like mist, but it echoed inside my head.‘I will grant you this as a favor to your beloved mother. I shall try and reduce the punishment and toll of your coming days.’I jolted upright, a harsh, desper
The High Priest walked around the ash ring, splashing a thick, aromatic oil onto the candles. The flames flared high, turning a strange, deep silver hue. "Drink," the King ordered, stepping to the edge of the circle. He held out a small silver cup filled with a dark, bitter-smelling liquid. "This
RAVENFive seconds after the door clicked, I heard it click again and Eilís threw the door open.He sighed, looking apologetic. "That was stupid.""Yes, it was," I answered, still annoyed and shocked."Raven, please," he said as he walked in. "How about we compromise? When all these are settled, we







