Night falls around us, and we settle in, ready to pounce at the earliest sign of trouble. It’s past midnight when one of our scouts signals to Mother that they see something coming across the river. Mother runs out of her hiding space and stands at the river’s edge, straining her eyes against the da
*Kieran* “That was quite a speech,” Father says coldly, coming to stand within inches of my face. “You’ve certainly spun quite a tale.” He’s saying this for the benefit of those around us, I know. The fury blazing in my eyes is a sharp reminder of the truth of my words. When he deems someone a thr
King Cole must not be too far away, which is a relief. The moment we cross into Escuro, he can help us regroup. Even if most of the army followed my lead, my father will not stop until every last one of us is dead. I can only hope that the soldiers in Escuro have prepared in some way. There weren’t
*Raven*The night drags on, heavy with anticipation as we wait for the soldiers to arrive. Mother and Father don’t let go of each other for much more than a moment. When they aren’t holding each other, they’re simply gazing at each other. Mother looks at Father like he’s the most precious thing in t
“It’s okay, Kieran,” I comfort him. “We’re ready for them. While you’ve been gone, we’ve been working on a plan. I just need you to get yourself and your followers across the river. Once you do, I’ll take care of the rest.” My heart swells with pride at the thought. There’s something so satisfying
KieranWith Raven’s last words—I love you more than you can imagine—ringing in my ears, I pound across the open plain toward the river that is apparently our only hope of survival. We left the forest half an hour ago, and since then, my father’s forces have been gathering behind us. More men stayed
RavenEscurians and people from Dun’s Crossing celebrate all around me, but I only have eyes for a bloodstained, silver wolf on the other side of the river. I shove through the crowd, desperate to touch him and know that he’s safe. That we all are.King Gavin is dead!Kieran seems to have the same i
KieranI run my thumb nervously over the back of Raven’s hand as Fleming, the royal healer, looks her over in his study. The wizened old man mumbles to himself as he works but never anything I can understand. My heart pounds. I will not have gone through all of this to lose my wife at the end. I wil