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New🔥🔥The Alpha King Chose Wrong_💔💔💔
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00:00That's the first thing I remember about the night I died.
00:03I'm the true-born daughter of House Raventest, the lost heiress of the North.
00:08But I was crawling like a beggar to the gates of Hymir.
00:11My skin was rotting. A normal wolf takes a stab, heals in 20 minutes.
00:16Me? I'd been bleeding for three years.
00:19Seventeen years on Wolfbein will do that to you.
00:21Only, I didn't know it was Wolfbein. Not yet.
00:25Please.
00:26My voice was a wet rash.
00:27I need to see the Queen Consort.
00:30A boot caught me in the rigs. A silk slipper stopped two inches from my face.
00:34Oh, sweetheart. Is that you down there?
00:37I lifted my head. Lillian, my sister. And on her brow, the Luna Queen's silver crown.
00:43Behind her, a man stepped from the carriage.
00:45Black coat. Gold eyes. Argent blood. Every inch of him.
00:49Adrian Valentine Argin. The outful of the Silk King.
00:52Honey, what are you doing all the way out here?
00:55Lillian, please. Marcus, he's killing me.
00:58Hmm.
00:59Her finger brushed my split cheek.
01:01Selina, the cup of wine I gave you on your first moon to boot.
01:04I poisoned it.
01:05It's bright night.
01:06The world went still.
01:08Adrian was supposed to choose you.
01:09So I took your place.
01:11I took the throne.
01:13She stood, brushed snow, off her knees.
01:16You deserve to disappear.
01:17I caught her hem.
01:19If the moon gives me one more night, I'll take it all back.
01:22She smiled.
01:23You can try, sweetheart.
01:25A guard's silver saber.
01:27Straight through my chest.
01:28Silver death.
01:29The snow.
01:29The snow was very white.
01:31Then nothing.
01:32Black.
01:33Then music.
01:34A string quartet.
01:35Roses.
01:36Too much perfume.
01:37I opened my eyes.
01:39I looked down.
01:40Smooth, pale, 16-year-old hands.
01:43The ballroom of Ravenburst Manor.
01:45300 nobles in high-pack colors.
01:47Argent, silver, and black over the dace.
01:49I was reborn on the night of my first moon debut.
01:52The night that ruined my life.
01:55And across the marble floor, my 17-year-old sister Lillian walked towards me, smiling softly.
02:01A small crystal cup gleaming in her hand.
02:03For my favorite sister.
02:05On the most important night of her life.
02:07I looked at the rim.
02:08There, in the candlelight.
02:10A tiny red scrap.
02:11The mark I never noticed last time.
02:13I took the poisoned cup.
02:15Thank you, Lillian.
02:16Sweetheart, you just poured your own funeral wine.
02:20This time, I'm going to make every single person in this room kneel.
02:25You first.
02:29The hall blazed with silver candlelight.
02:32Every high-pack daughter in high-milled was watching.
02:35Lillian moved through the crowd like she owned it.
02:38Holding two crystal cups.
02:39Drink up, sweetheart.
02:41The queen consort's watching.
02:42I looked past her shoulder.
02:44On the dane, the queen concord sat very still.
02:47Black silk.
02:48Silver pins.
02:49Gold eyes.
02:50The most powerful woman in Argent Val.
02:53Last life.
02:53I drank.
02:54This life.
02:55The moment I'd turned toward the tray.
02:57I'd swapped the cups.
02:59The poisoned one.
03:00Was back on the tray.
03:02Waiting for the next person.
03:03To you, Lillian.
03:05House Ravenhurst's finest daughter.
03:07We both drank the clean wine.
03:09Lillian set down her cup.
03:10A little pink in the cheeks.
03:12She hadn't noticed a thing.
03:13A tall figure in black cut across the hall.
03:16Unhurried.
03:17Adrian Valentine RJ.
03:18Lillian's whole body locked.
03:20I leaned close.
03:21Just a breath at her ear.
03:22He's right there, Lillian.
03:24And the queen consort is watching you do nothing.
03:26Her chin lifted half an inch.
03:28I reached back to the tray.
03:29Forced the poisoned cup into her hands before she could think.
03:32Offer him a cup of welcome.
03:34It's old custom.
03:35She loves the old customs.
03:37Lillian stepped forward.
03:38Her voice came out soft, careful.
03:41Your highness.
03:42A cup of welcome.
03:43For the moon.
03:44Adrian glanced at the cup.
03:46He took it.
03:47Elegant.
03:48Reluctant.
03:48Tipped it back.
03:49Set the empty glass on a passing tray.
03:52Without a word and walked on.
03:53Lillian was still beaming at his back.
03:55I lowered my eyes.
03:57Before mine could give me away.
03:59Lillian.
04:00You know Silvermoon Law.
04:02Dosing the crown is a court banned act.
04:04The smile didn't leave her face.
04:06Not yet.
04:07You handed it to him yourself.
04:08In front of the queen concord.
04:10In front of every witness in this hall.
04:12I let the silence settle.
04:14That wasn't a toast.
04:15That was your funeral wine.
04:17He left through the balcony doors.
04:19Twenty minutes after the toast.
04:21Bride nights kicking in.
04:22I waited a breath.
04:24Then I followed.
04:25Lost life.
04:26I was the one with Brideonite in my blood.
04:28Marcus pizzed me behind the hydrangeas.
04:31That was the start.
04:32Of seventeen years in hell.
04:34Tonight, Lillian.
04:35There is no rogue in the gazo.
04:37Only the man Lillian wanted.
04:39And Adrian is not looking for Lillian.
04:41I found Adrian by the moon pond.
04:43One hand braced on a colin.
04:45The other hand grabbed at his collar.
04:46Argent gold eyes.
04:48Wide.
04:48Blown.
04:49Burning.
04:50Your highness.
04:51Don't.
04:52Don't come near me.
04:54You're not well.
04:56Adrian pushed off the colin.
04:57His knee gave out.
04:59He collapsed into my arms.
05:01Adrian was burning.
05:02His face landed in the curve of my neck.
05:05Then he stopped.
05:06Adrian breathed in.
05:07His whole body went still against me.
05:10Then the heat surged back.
05:12Come on.
05:13Not here.
05:14I got Adrian's arm over my shoulder.
05:16I got Adrian inside the empty guest house.
05:20I shut the door.
05:21The lock clicked.
05:23My back hit the wall.
05:24Adrian's forearm caged me beside my head.
05:26His pupils were blown.
05:28Then...
05:28Lillian.
05:29There it is.
05:30The word Lillian worked six years to hear Adrian say in the dark.
05:35And he just said it to me.
05:36I slid my hand up the back of Adrian's neck.
05:39Shh.
05:40His forehead dropped to my shoulder.
05:42I leaned in until my lips were at his ear.
05:44It's alright, your highness.
05:45I'm here.
05:46It does not matter whose name Adrian said tonight.
05:49What matters is who leaves by morning.
05:51Wearing Adrian's coat.
05:53With Adrian's scent on my skin.
05:55Tonight, sweetheart.
05:56That is me.
05:57His forehead burned against my shoulder.
06:00Bright of night stays in the blood 12 hours.
06:02Anything that touches it gets dosed.
06:04I turned my face into his neck.
06:06Forgive me, your highness.
06:08I bit down.
06:09Hard.
06:10The blood flooded my mouth.
06:11He's hissed.
06:12Fisted my hair.
06:14Didn't pull me off.
06:15The drug hit me ten seconds later.
06:17His gold eyes focused.
06:19One second.
06:20I know you.
06:21No, you don't.
06:22Not yet.
06:23I caught his wrist.
06:24Pressed his hand to my colivone.
06:26Here.
06:27Bite here.
06:28Where they can see it.
06:29He lowered his head.
06:31Leave the bite marks on me.
06:32An hour later, he collapsed sideways.
06:34The drug had burned through him.
06:36I sat up.
06:37Wiped the blood from lips.
06:38His coat had slipped off the chair.
06:40I picked it up.
06:41Put it on.
06:42At the mirror, I loosened my hair.
06:44Tugged the coat half off one shoulder.
06:46The bite marks bloomed underneath.
06:49I sat on the edge of the bed.
06:50Waited.
06:51The footsteps in the corridor grew louder.
06:53I didn't move.
06:54I spoke to the closed door.
06:56Quietly.
06:57Marcus isn't in this bed.
06:59The crown alpha is.
07:00Right on time, Lillian.
07:02The door hit the wall, and the corridor spilled silk boots and royal silver into the room.
07:07Your majesty, in here!
07:08I saw Selina with a man.
07:10She did not even look at me.
07:12She crossed to the curtained bed.
07:14Her face went white.
07:15Adrian lay there, gold eyes closed.
07:19It was her.
07:20She grew up above the velvet fang, raised in a brothel, crawling into a crown bed before the debut.
07:27I did not argue.
07:27I let the coat slip lower, until the algin crest caught the candlelight.
07:32The bite marks bloomed underneath.
07:33One tear ran down my cheek.
07:35Your majesty, I only remember the cup.
07:37Lillian handed it to me, and then I woke here.
07:39No, it's not true!
07:40The queen consort lifted one hand.
07:42My breath stayed broken on purpose.
07:44Adrian sat up, shirt buttoned, hair pushed back, gold eyes finally clear of the drug.
07:49Speak carefully, your highness.
07:51The next sentence out of your mouth chooses my life, or hers.
07:55Adrian opened his mouth.
07:56The door slammed open again.
07:58A wounded man kneeled behind Caleb.
08:00I knew that face.
08:02Marcus dreary.
08:03Caleb unfolded a white handkerchief.
08:05Your majesty, Marcus waited behind the rockweck for Selen.
08:08This was in Marcus's coat.
08:10The high priest bent over the cloth, nostrils flaring.
08:13Red knight.
08:14Everyone who heard it went sojourned.
08:15It was not my plan.
08:17Lady Lillian paid me.
08:18Lillian's face emptied.
08:20Lady Lillian gave me the bottle.
08:22I lowered my eyes before anyone could read me.
08:25For one breath, Lillian had no story ready.
08:27Adrian got off the bed, slow, pale.
08:30He did not look at Lillian or his mother.
08:32Adrian walked straight to Marcus.
08:34Adrian pulled the silver knife on his hip.
08:35Your highness, wait.
08:36I can give names.
08:38The judgment happened in one breath.
08:40Adrian did not flinch.
08:42He held a piece of evidence in his hand.
08:44He walked three steps.
08:45A terrible croup dropped at the hem of Lillian's skirt.
08:48Hidden, but unmistakable.
08:49Lillian screamed once.
08:51Then Lillian went silent.
08:52The thorn girl folded over into the hem of her own gown.
08:55Adrian did not look at Lillian.
08:56Adrian walked back across the marble.
08:58He pulled off his own coat.
09:00He laid the coat on my shoulders.
09:02I stayed still.
09:03I let Adrian cover me.
09:05Adrian smoothed the silver crest flat across my back with his own hand.
09:09Let me smell Selina Ravencrest.
09:11The queen consort stepped closer and inhaled.
09:13Nothing.
09:14No scent.
09:15No rank.
09:15No wolf.
09:16Sixteen years of high-packed blood.
09:18You are empty air.
09:19A maid stepped forward with a black velvet cushion.
09:21A small silver blade waited on it.
09:23You may walk out of this room, or you may end it.
09:26The queen consort gave me death and called it mercy.
09:29Sparehouse Raventill, what comes next?
09:31The blade was placed in my hand.
09:32Cold.
09:33Final.
09:34In the corner, Lillian released the smallest breath of relief.
09:37I did not lift my hands.
09:39If she wanted me dead tonight, she would do it herself.
09:42A black sleeve cut across my sight.
09:44Adrian stepped between me and the ceremonial pillow and closed his bare palm around the blade.
09:49Silence held.
09:50Then, blood came.
09:53The queen consort's face went still.
09:55Adrian did not look at her and took my fingertips in his clean hand, gently.
09:59By the law of the Algin Court.
10:01His voice stayed quiet.
10:03A crown alpha's public claim, once witnessed by the queen consort, the high priest, and the high pack matriarchs, cannot
10:11be revoked.
10:12I lowered my eyes.
10:14On the next full moon, I will exchange moon vows with Lady Selina Ravenhaust in the silver moon court.
10:20From tonight, she is the future Luna Queen of Highmore.
10:24He turned to his mother and lifted his bleeding hand, showing the silver gash slowly.
10:30If the law demands her death, bring a second blade.
10:32I will go with her.
10:33Lillian's face went past white.
10:35I lowered my eyes.
10:36Last life, I begged at his gate and was dragged out by my hair.
10:40This life, I said nothing, and he laid the court at my feet.
10:44By sunrise, Highmail had a new headline.
10:47The crown alpha had named his Luna.
10:50House Ravencrest, the younger daughter.
10:52The quiet one nobody had ever looked at.
10:55At dawn, the senior high priest entered Ravencissed Manor, tracing every wine cup from cellar to ballroom.
11:01Two hours later, they found a silver thread carrying cedar and iris perfume.
11:05Inside a velvet purse Lillian had once gifted Marcus.
11:08Adrian folded the report once.
11:10Your Highness, we have enough to take her down tonight.
11:13No.
11:14Almost gentle.
11:15I want her to walk to it herself.
11:16I went back to my bedroom, locked the door, took out the small white porcelain bottle.
11:21Morwena's gift, the court midwife at my birth.
11:24For 17 years, they told me it was the only reason I didn't fall apart.
11:28I believed them.
11:29I drank it every morning, until I stopped asking what was in it.
11:32I set the bottle on the windowsill.
11:34This time, I didn't lift it to my mouth.
11:36Six hours later, the headache started behind my left eye.
11:39By dusk, I was sweating through my collar.
11:41My hands wouldn't stay still.
11:43Lillian, you've been burning me alive for 17 years.
11:46The girl in the mirror looked back.
11:48Her eyes were darker than I remember.
11:50That fire's about to turn around.
11:52I'm gonna put it under your door.
11:53And then I'm gonna stand in the garden and watch the smoke.
11:57I had been off the bottle for three days.
11:59The headaches were duller now.
12:01What replaced them was harder to name.
12:02A low heat behind my ribs.
12:04A sharpness in my hearing I did not used to have.
12:08That morning, I caught the scent of rain 20 minutes before the rain came.
12:11I did not tell anyone.
12:13My wolf was waking up.
12:15Slowly, quietly, the invitation came on argent silver paper.
12:19Adoption tea.
12:20Hymir Westgarden.
12:21Thursday at 4.
12:22The Westgarden was set for war.
12:24Six high-packed daughters in pale silk.
12:26The thorn girl very carefully did not make eye contact with me.
12:29Lady Selina, sit.
12:32A maid placed an argent silver cup in front of every girl.
12:35Heavy-rimmed, handles shaped like a wolf's curled tail.
12:38A second maid stepped behind my chair and set down a plain white porcelain cup.
12:43No crest.
12:43Lady Vey's spoon stopped halfway to Lady Vey's mouth.
12:46The queen consort did not look at me.
12:48Some bloodlines react poorly to silver, dear.
12:51Your majesty is so thoughtful.
12:52Then the terrace door opened.
12:54Father Alaric, senior high priest.
12:57Sixty-one years inside the silver moon walls.
12:59Alaric had blessed the queen consort's own moon vows.
13:02Alaric bowed to her majesty first.
13:04Protocol.
13:05Then Alaric stopped at my chair.
13:07And Alaric bent his head lower than he had just bent it to the queen consort.
13:11My lady.
13:11Alaric had just bowed to a raven crest.
13:14The true line.
13:15The one that should have sat at the head of this table.
13:17Alaric's body knew.
13:18The queen consort knew what it meant.
13:20So did every woman at that table.
13:22Back in my bedroom, I uncorked the porcelain bottle.
13:24I poured the rest into the washbasin.
13:27I pressed two fingers to my neck.
13:29My pulse was steadier than it had any right to be.
13:32Deeper.
13:33Nobody in that court knows what is coming back.
13:35Seventeen years of being burned down to a quiet, pale, forgettable girl.
13:40First time as Salim's betrothed,
13:42Adrian walked up the raven has steps in dove gray mourning dress
13:46with a small black velvet box.
13:49Inside, an Algent royal hairpin.
13:51Eight hundred years old, moonstone center, wolf and moon engraving.
13:56Lady Ravenhust had been crying since breakfast.
13:59Happy crying.
14:00The kind Lady Ravenhust had never once cried for Selina before.
14:03Last life, when my husband first walked me in this door,
14:06Lady Ravencrest told the housekeeper to wipe the threshold after I crossed it.
14:10A maid came running.
14:11Lord Ravencrest, please, Lady Lillian, the east wing, she's-
14:16The maid could not finish the word.
14:18The whole house moved.
14:20Lord Ravenfield, Lady Ravenfield, Cassian, Selene's older brother, in from his regiment.
14:24Adrian set the velvet box down without looking at it.
14:27Slow.
14:28Selina had seen this scene before.
14:30Not in this life.
14:31In the next one over.
14:32The attic.
14:33One window.
14:34Cedar beams.
14:36A length of white silk ribbon, folded neatly on the floorboards beside the chair.
14:40Lillian was already in Adrian's arms.
14:43Long lashes wet.
14:44A delicate flutter of breath against Adrian's collarbone, not a mark on Lillian's throat.
14:50Cassian gripped Lillian's free hand.
14:52Lily.
14:53Lily, listen to me.
14:55Nobody in this family will leave you.
14:58Do you hear me?
14:59Nobody.
15:00Lady Ravencowls stroked Lillian's hair.
15:03Sweet girl.
15:05Sweet, sweet girl.
15:07Lord Ravencrest wiped his eyes with his sleeve like a farmhand.
15:10He saw me in the doorway.
15:12He did not see Lillian.
15:13What he saw.
15:14A pale girl.
15:15Lips bloodless.
15:16A thin pink ring of strain around my irises.
15:19He does not know Wolfsbane withdrawal when he sees it.
15:22He does not know I have been off the bottle for two days.
15:25What he knew.
15:26Something in his own chest pulled, sharp and hot.
15:28He chalked it up to a poor night's sleep.
15:31Down the garden path.
15:32Alone.
15:33White roses.
15:34Lillian was at the attic glass.
15:36Color back in her cheeks.
15:38One small hand on the windowpane.
15:40She smiled at me.
15:42Soft.
15:42Sweet.
15:43Triumphant.
15:44Three days after the attic, the wind had turned in Ravencrest.
15:48Half the high-pack matrons found their way to Lillian's daybed before noon.
15:52By Thursday, Lady Ravencrest asked the housekeeper whether Lillian might still come to the Equinos
15:57Reet.
15:58That afternoon, a courier from the Silvermoon Court came through the Algem West Wing.
16:03Six lines on sheep-filled parchment in the Queen Consort's own hand.
16:08Should Lady Selene Ravencrest, prior to the exchange of moon vows, be revealed to possess
16:13a flaw of bloodline, character, or conduct unbecoming of a future Lunar Queen.
16:17The Algen House reserves the unilateral right to withdraw said vows.
16:22A backup plan.
16:23A girl who could be torn up at any time.
16:26The Hall of Elders.
16:28Twelve along both sides.
16:29The Queen Concord at the head.
16:31Hands folded.
16:32Adrien read it once.
16:33Adrien.
16:34Read it again.
16:35Stood up.
16:36Adrien picked up the parchment.
16:38Tore it.
16:39Crosswise.
16:40Then again.
16:41Then again.
16:42Adrien's gold eyes had gone to a color the Elders hadn't seen in 400 years.
16:46A slow, banked fire.
16:49The pieces fell on the council table.
16:51Adrien faced his mother.
16:53Full court protocol.
16:54Hand on chest.
16:56Mother, the Queen Consort may add any clause to Adrien's moon vows.
17:00As long as the clause protects Selene, the Queen Consort may not add a single word that lets
17:05Adrien throw Selene away.
17:07The Queen Consort did not answer.
17:09He came back to Ravencrest before sundown.
17:11He found me in the small drawing room.
17:14Tea I had not drunk.
17:15Hands folded to hide the tremor.
17:17He did not ask about Lillian.
17:19Did not mention the attic.
17:20Did not perform anything.
17:22He knelt one knee.
17:23He opened the velvet box.
17:25He orin velvet.
17:26May I?
17:28He lifted my hair off my shoulder with the back of his bandaged hand.
17:31The hand that had closed around a silver blade for me four nights ago.
17:36He slid the Argent Royal hairpin in just above my left temple.
17:39Slow.
17:40The yellow gold settled cool against my scalp.
17:43His fingertip brushed the shell of my ear.
17:45Without warning.
17:46My eyes filled.
17:48He saw it.
17:49He did not say a word.
17:50He brought his bandaged hand up.
17:52He caught the one tear on his knuckle before it could fall.
17:56He came back at dawn.
17:58Adrian set it on the writing desk and opened it the way a surgeon opens a chest.
18:02A glass vial of Britonite, court tagged.
18:05A list of every servant who touched a wine tray on first moon night.
18:08A velvet purse Lillian had once gifted Marcus.
18:11Slit open.
18:12One silver thread.
18:13One folded note.
18:14One dried sprig of irie.
18:16And, last, half a porcelain wine cup.
18:18On the underside, a single scratched red mark.
18:21He found my proof.
18:22The one detail I never told him.
18:24I'm not going to ask if you knew.
18:27Good.
18:27I'm going to ask you what you want to do.
18:29My sister doesn't die yet.
18:31He waited.
18:31She watches my moon vows.
18:33She watches the silver moon court bow when my name is read.
18:37She watches my father take back the seat at the head table she made him give her.
18:41She watches every high-pack matriarch who kurtzled to her three Oscars ago kurt to me instead.
18:47And then, only then, she finds out what's waiting at the bottom of the cup.
18:50Understood.
18:51You're not going to ask me why?
18:53No.
18:53I figured most of it out at the gate.
18:55When she pointed at you and called you a brothel pup, I'll wait for the rest.
18:58Two lifetimes.
19:00The first man who didn't ask me to explain my anger before he agreed to back it.
19:04He came around the desk.
19:06Looked at me.
19:07Bruise on my collarbone from his teeth four nights ago had faded to a pale violet ring.
19:12He lifted his hand.
19:14Stopped.
19:15Asked.
19:15With his eyes.
19:16I owe you a clean memory of me touching you.
19:19You don't owe me anything, your highness.
19:21He drew me into his chest.
19:23Slow.
19:24No drug in his blood this time.
19:26No haze.
19:27I let my forehead rest on his shoulder for exactly four seconds.
19:31Then I stepped back.
19:33He didn't try to keep me.
19:35Across the gardens.
19:36In the east wing.
19:38Lillian Ravencrest on her knees.
19:40In front of a small panel of floorboards she'd plied up the night before.
19:45Under the panel.
19:46A flat priest's disc.
19:48Etched with old runes.
19:50What do I do now?
19:52She'd been calling that name into the dark for years.
19:55A household prayer.
19:56A dead midwife's charm.
19:58She didn't know the woman who answered was the one who'd built her cage.
20:01Across the manor.
20:02In Adrian's harms.
20:04My eyes closed.
20:05The red ring around my irises had thinned by a shade.
20:08On the windowsill.
20:10The porcelain bottle was down to a quarter.
20:13Palace gates would not open.
20:15Lillian had been so sure the gates would open.
20:17She powdered her face for an hour.
20:20She wore the pearl blue cloak the queen consort once said brought out her eyes.
20:24Her majesty is not receiving visitors today.
20:27Three different guards.
20:28Her majesty is not receiving visitors today.
20:30Three identical sentences.
20:32Her majesty is not receiving visitors today.
20:34At the fourth gate.
20:36Lillian gave up.
20:37Lillian stood on the marble steps in pearl blue silk.
20:40And watched a butcher's boy let through a side door.
20:43Because the boy had a delivery.
20:45Home before nightfall.
20:46Cloak off.
20:47East wing.
20:48Attic door locked.
20:50Panel up.
20:51Palms flat on the priest's disc.
20:53Morwenna.
20:54Lillian's voice cracked.
20:56The queen consort won't see me.
20:58The matriarchs are starting to talk.
20:59Adrian tore up my supplemental clause in front of the council.
21:02I need you to fix the blessing again.
21:04Just reinforce it.
21:06Please.
21:07Silence.
21:08Then not in Lillian's ears.
21:10But in the back of Lillian's skull.
21:12The way Morwenna's answers always came.
21:14Use Cassian.
21:16Three words.
21:17Cold.
21:17Final.
21:18She sat back on her heels.
21:19He had loved her like a first daughter since she was four.
21:22An unmated alpha with a soft spot that size was exactly the kind of weapon she knew how to use.
21:29She unlocked the bottom drawer.
21:31She pulled out the vial.
21:33Velvet Fang's mark was etched in the glass.
21:36One dose of Bride Knight was left inside.
21:38She smoothed her hair.
21:40She practiced the smile.
21:42Cassian will believe anything Lillian tells Cassian.
21:46Cassian always has.
21:49The family dinner was mother's idea.
21:52Just direct blood.
21:53We need to be a family again before the moon vows.
21:56Which meant, Lillian was coming back to the table.
21:59Neither of them had the spine to say no.
22:01Father at the head.
22:02Mother to his right.
22:04Cassius to his left back from the regiment.
22:06Lillian below mother.
22:08Then me.
22:09Then Adrian.
22:10Sitting on my side.
22:12His bandaged hand resting open beside mine.
22:14Between the soup and the lamb.
22:16Mother brought it out.
22:17A small lacquered box.
22:19Five generations old.
22:21She lifted out the silver comb.
22:23My grandmother held this on her first moon.
22:25My mother.
22:26Me.
22:27Tradition says.
22:28A true born ravenfesh daughter passes a hand over it.
22:31And if the blood is good, the silver knows.
22:34Lillian took the comb.
22:35She'd taken it 18 times in her life.
22:38She knew the trick.
22:39What she had not been raised on was how much it would hurt the 18th time.
22:43After three days kneeling on a priest disc asking a witch for fresh favors.
22:47The silver bit.
22:48A clean line of white pain shot up her wrist.
22:51She felt the skin start to lift in a blister.
22:53She held the comb for the regulation three seconds.
22:55Set it back.
22:56Light hand.
22:57Beautiful.
22:58Her smile was perfect.
22:59Under the linen, her left fist was tight enough the nails broke skin.
23:02Mother turned to me.
23:04Salona.
23:05Mother had never put this comb in front of me before.
23:08Last life.
23:08By the time I came back to Ravenwith, the comb had been lost in a move.
23:13Just for tradition, dear.
23:15Just so we can all see.
23:17I let the comb settle into my palm.
23:19No bite.
23:21No heat.
23:22Then the silver caught light that wasn't in the room and gave it back.
23:25A faint white glow ran the length of the handle.
23:28Mother's hand was halfway to her mouth.
23:31Cassian's chair scraped a quarter inch backward on its own.
23:34Father set his fork down very carefully.
23:36Lillian laughed, very lightly.
23:39Oh, Mother, you know Selena.
23:41She's always been a bit off.
23:42Probably some funny, low blood reaction.
23:45Even silver gets confused.
23:48Across the city, in his study at High Meal Palace,
23:51Adrian Valentine Rowe was reading a report on grain prices.
23:53At 8.14pm, the exact minute the silver glowed in my palm,
23:57he set the report down, put one hand flat against his sternum,
24:00and waited for whatever was happening inside his chest to stop.
24:04It didn't stop.
24:05For almost a minute.
24:08He told himself he hadn't slept well.
24:11I went back to my room before pudding,
24:14knelt on the hearth in my dinner slicks,
24:16pushed the white porcelain bottle deep under the bed of cold ash.
24:20Lillian came to my door at sunrise.
24:22Pale silk wrapper, eyes red around the edges,
24:25the careful walk of a girl who had not slept.
24:28Selena, please.
24:30Cassian wants to apologize for First Moon,
24:32for taking my side too fast.
24:34Cassian is too proud to say it in the house.
24:36Cassian will only say it at the West Tower.
24:38The West Tower.
24:39Cedar woods.
24:4020 minutes walk from the Manon.
24:42Last life.
24:43Lillian set Selina up with Marcus in a garden gabbo.
24:46This life.
24:47Selina's big brother in a tower.
24:48Same script.
24:49Better casting.
24:50Of course.
24:51Lead the way.
24:53Last life.
24:53She set me up with Marcus in a garden gabobi.
24:56This life.
24:56My big brother in a tower.
24:58Same script.
24:59Better casting.
25:00Lillian walked ahead.
25:02Lillian looked back once.
25:04Lillian smiled once.
25:07Then Lillian looked back again.
25:09Three times.
25:11Three smiles.
25:12Each one a little wider.
25:1420 paces from the tower door.
25:16The wind shifted.
25:17Selene caught it on the back of Selena's throat.
25:19The smell of a man Selene had bitten through the skin four nights ago.
25:22Bright and night.
25:23There you are.
25:24Found you in the trees.
25:25The tower door was unlashed.
25:26Lillian stopped.
25:27Turned.
25:28The careful smile was gone.
25:29After you, Selina.
25:30She lifted her hand to my shoulder.
25:32A small push.
25:34I let her hand land.
25:35While her weight was on it.
25:37While she was already mid-shove.
25:38I stepped sideways.
25:40Half a body's length.
25:41Clean.
25:42Her push went through empty air.
25:44She stumbled forward.
25:45I caught her under the arms.
25:47Dragged her three feet through the open door.
25:49Set her down inside.
25:50Gently.
25:50The way I would lay down a dress.
25:51On the bed at the back of the room, Cassian was already half gone.
25:54Shirt open.
25:55Skin slick.
25:56Argent blue eyes blown black.
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