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The Alpha King Chose Wrong Episode Reborn Luna's Revenge ASM
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00:00Snow.
00:02That's the first thing I remember about the night I died.
00:05I'm the true-born daughter of House Raventest, the lost heiress of the North.
00:09But I was crawling like a beggar to the gates of Hymir.
00:12My skin was rotting.
00:14A normal wolf takes a stab, heals in 20 minutes.
00:17Me?
00:18I'd been bleeding for three years.
00:20Seventeen years on Wolfby will do that to you.
00:23Only, I didn't know it was Wolfby.
00:25Not yet.
00:26Please.
00:27My voice was a wet rash.
00:29I need to see the Queen Consort.
00:32A boot caught me in the rigs.
00:33A silk slipper stopped two inches from my face.
00:36Oh, sweetheart.
00:37Is that you down there?
00:39I lifted my head.
00:40Lillian, my sister.
00:42And on her brow, the Luna Queen's silver crown.
00:44Behind her, a man stepped from the carriage.
00:47Black coat.
00:48Gold eyes.
00:48Argent blood.
00:49Every inch of him.
00:50Adrian Valentine Argin.
00:52The outful of the Silk King.
00:54Honey, what are you doing all the way out here?
00:56Lillian, please.
00:58Marcus, he's killing me.
01:00Hmm.
01:01Her finger brushed my split cheek.
01:03Selena, the cup of wine I gave you on your first moon to boot.
01:06I poisoned it.
01:07It's bright night.
01:08The world went still.
01:09Adrian was supposed to choose you.
01:11So I took your place.
01:13I took the throne.
01:14She stood, brushed snow, off her knees.
01:17You deserve to disappear.
01:19I caught her hem.
01:20If the moon gives me one more night, I'll take it all back.
01:24She smiled.
01:25You can try, sweetheart.
01:26A guard's silver saber, straight through my chest.
01:29Silver death.
01:30The snow.
01:31The snow was very white.
01:33Then nothing.
01:33Black.
01:34Then music.
01:35A string quartet.
01:37Roses.
01:38Too much perfume.
01:39I opened my eyes.
01:40I looked down.
01:41Smooth, pale, sixteen-year-old hands.
01:44The ballroom of Ravenburst Manor.
01:47Three hundred nobles in high-pack colors.
01:49Argent, silver, and black over the dace.
01:51I was reborn on the night of my first moon debut.
01:54The night that ruined my life.
01:56And across the marble floor, my seventeen-year-old sister Lillian walked towards me, smiling softly.
02:02A small crystal cup gleaming in her hand.
02:05For my favorite sister.
02:06On the most important night of her life.
02:09I looked at the rim.
02:10There, in the candlelight.
02:12A tiny red scrap.
02:13The mark I never noticed last time.
02:15I took the poisoned cup.
02:17Thank you, Lillian.
02:18Sweetheart.
02:19You just poured your own funeral wine.
02:22This time, I'm going to make every single person in this room kneel.
02:26You first.
02:30The hall blazed with silver candlelight.
02:33Every high-packed daughter in high-milled was watching.
02:36Lillian moved through the crowd like she owned it.
02:39Holding two crystal cups.
02:41Drink up, sweetheart.
02:42The queen consort's watching.
02:44I looked past her shoulder.
02:45On the dane, the queen concord sat very still.
02:48Black silk.
02:49Silver pins.
02:50Gold eyes.
02:52The most powerful woman in Argent Val.
02:54Last life.
02:55I drank.
02:56This life.
02:57The moment I'd turned toward the tray.
02:59I'd swap the cups.
03:00The poisoned one.
03:01Was back on the tray.
03:03Waiting for the next person.
03:05To you, Lillian.
03:06House Ravenhurst's finest daughter.
03:08We both drank the clean wine.
03:10Lillian set down her cup.
03:12A little pink in the cheeks.
03:13She hadn't noticed a thing.
03:15A tall figure in black cut across the hall.
03:17Unhurried.
03:18Adrian Valentine RJ.
03:19Lillian's whole body locked.
03:21I leaned close.
03:22Just a breath at her ear.
03:23He's right there, Lillian.
03:25And the queen consort is watching you do nothing.
03:27Her chin lifted half an inch.
03:29I reached back to the tray.
03:31Forced the poisoned cup into her hands before she could think.
03:34Offer him a cup of welcome.
03:35It's old custom.
03:36She loves the old customs.
03:38Lillian stepped forward.
03:39Her voice came out soft, careful.
03:42Your highness.
03:43A cup of welcome.
03:45For the moon.
03:46Adrian glanced at the cup.
03:47He took it.
03:48Elegant.
03:49Reluctant.
03:49Tipped it back.
03:51Set the empty glass on a passing tray.
03:53Without a word and walked on.
03:55Lillian was still beaming at his back.
03:57I lowered my eyes.
03:58Before mine could give me away.
04:00Lillian.
04:01You know silver moon law.
04:03Dosing the crown is a court banned act.
04:05The smile didn't leave her face.
04:07Not yet.
04:08You handed it to him yourself.
04:10In front of the Queen Concord.
04:11In front of every witness in this hall.
04:13I let the silence settle.
04:15That wasn't a toast.
04:16That was your funeral wine.
04:18He left through the balcony doors.
04:20Twenty minutes after the toast.
04:22Bridenites kicking in.
04:23I waited a breath.
04:25Then I followed.
04:26Lost life.
04:27I was the one with Bridenite in my blood.
04:29Marcus pissed me behind the hydrangeas.
04:32That was the start of seventeen years in hell.
04:35Tonight, Lillian.
04:36There is no rogue in the gazo.
04:38Only the man Lillian wanted.
04:39And Adrian is not looking for Lillian.
04:42I found Adrian by the moon pond.
04:44One hand braced on a colin.
04:46The other hand grabbed at his collar.
04:47Argent gold eyes.
04:49Wide.
04:49Blown.
04:50Burning.
04:51Your highness.
04:52Don't.
04:53Don't come near me.
04:55You're not well.
04:56Adrian pushed off the colin.
04:58His knee gave out.
05:00He collapsed into my arms.
05:01Adrian was burning.
05:03His face landed in the curve of my neck.
05:05Then he stopped.
05:07Adrian breathed in.
05:08His whole body went still against me.
05:11Then the heat surged back.
05:12Come on.
05:14Not here.
05:15I got Adrian's arm over my shoulder.
05:17I got Adrian inside the empty guest house.
05:20I shut the door.
05:22The lock clicked.
05:23My back hit the wall.
05:25Adrian's forearm caged me beside my head.
05:27His pupils were blown.
05:29Then...
05:29Lillian.
05:30There it is.
05:31The word Lillian worked six years to hear Adrian say in the dark.
05:35And he just said it to me.
05:37I slid my hand up the back of Adrian's neck.
05:40Shh.
05:40His forehead dropped to my shoulder.
05:42I leaned in until my lips were at his ear.
05:45It's alright, your highness.
05:46I'm here.
05:47It does not matter whose name Adrian said tonight.
05:50What matters is who leaves by morning.
05:52Wearing Adrian's coat.
05:54With Adrian's scent on my skin.
05:56Tonight, sweetheart.
05:57That is me.
05:58His forehead burned against my shoulder.
06:00Brightenite stays in the blood twelve hours.
06:02Anything that touches it gets dosed.
06:04I turn my face into his neck.
06:07Forgive me, your highness.
06:08I bit down.
06:10Hard.
06:10The blood flooded my mouth.
06:12He's hissed.
06:13Fisted my hair.
06:14Didn't pull me off.
06:15The drug hit me ten seconds later.
06:18His gold eyes focused.
06:19One second.
06:20I know you.
06:22No, you don't.
06:23Not 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.
06:33An hour later, he collapsed sideways.
06:35The drug had burned through him.
06:37I sat up.
06:37Wiped the blood from lips.
06:39His coat had slipped off the chair.
06:41I picked it up.
06:41Put it on.
06:42At the mirror, I loosened my hair.
06:44Tugged the coat half off one shoulder.
06:47The bite marks bloomed underneath.
06:49I sat on the edge of the bed.
06:51Waited.
06:52The footsteps in the corridor grew louder.
06:54I didn't move.
06:55I spoke to the closed door, quietly.
06:57Marcus isn't in this bed.
06:59The crown alpha is.
07:01Right 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!
07:11She did not even look at me.
07:12She crossed to the curtained bed.
07:14Her face went white.
07:15Adrienne lay there.
07:17Gold eyes closed.
07:19It was her.
07:21She grew up above the velvet fang.
07:23Raised in a brothel, crawling into a crown bed before the debut.
07:27I did not argue.
07:28I let the coat slip lower, until the algin crest caught the candlelight.
07:32The bite marks bloomed underneath.
07:34One 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.
07:44Adrienne 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.
07:55Adrienne opened his mouth.
07:56The door slammed open again.
07:58A wounded man kneeled behind Caleb.
08:00I knew that face.
08:01Marcus Drary.
08:03Caleb unfolded a white handkerchief.
08:05Your majesty, Marcus waited behind the rockwek for Selen.
08:08This was in Marcus's coat.
08:10The high priest bent over the cloth, nostrils flaring.
08:12Red knight.
08:13Everyone who heard it went sodged.
08:15It was not my plan.
08:16Lady 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.
08:24For one breath, Lillian had no story ready.
08:27Adrienne got off the bed, slow, pale.
08:29He did not look at Lillian or his mother.
08:32Adrienne walked straight to Marcus.
08:34Adrienne pulled the silver knife from his hip.
08:35Your highness, wait.
08:36I can give names.
08:37The judgment happened in one breath.
08:40Adrienne did not clinch.
08:42He held a piece of evidence in his hand.
08:44He walked three steps.
08:45A terrible proof 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.
08:54Adrienne did not look at Lillian.
08:56Adrienne walked back across the marble.
08:58He pulled off his own coat.
09:00He laid the coat on my shoulders.
09:01I stayed still.
09:03I let Adrienne cover me.
09:04Adrienne 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.
09:25The queen consort gave me death and called it mercy.
09:28Sparehouse Raventill.
09:29The blade was placed in my hand.
09:32Cold.
09:33Final.
09:33In the corner, Lillian released the smallest breath of relief.
09:37I did not lift my hands.
09:38If she wanted me dead tonight, she would do it herself.
09:41A black sleeve cut across my sight.
09:44Adrienne stepped between me and the ceremonial pillow
09:46and closed his bare palm around the blade.
09:49Silence held.
09:50Then blood came.
09:52The queen consort's face went still.
09:55Adrienne did not look at her
09:56and took my fingertips in his clean hand gently.
09:59By the law of the Algin court.
10:00His voice stayed quiet.
10:03A crown alpha's public claim,
10:05once witnessed by the queen consort,
10:07the high priest, and the high pack matriarchs,
10:10cannot be revoked.
10:12I lowered my eyes.
10:13On the next full moon,
10:14I will exchange moon vows with Lady Selina Ravenhaust
10:17in the silver moon court.
10:19From tonight, she is the future luna queen of Highmore.
10:23He turned to his mother and lifted his bleeding hand,
10:27showing the silver gash slowly.
10:29If the law demands her death,
10:31bring 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
10:38and was dragged out by my hair.
10:39This life, I said nothing,
10:41and he laid the court at my feet.
10:43By sunrise, Highmail had a new headline.
10:47The crown alpha had named his luna.
10:49House Ravencrest, the younger daughter,
10:52the quiet one nobody had ever looked at.
10:54At dawn, the senior high priest entered Ravencissed Manor,
10:57tracing every wine cup from cellar to ballroom.
11:00Two hours later, they found a silver thread
11:02carrying cedar and iris perfume.
11:04Inside a velvet purse,
11:05Lillian had once gifted Marcus.
11:07Adrian folded the report once.
11:09Your Highness, we have enough to take her down tonight.
11:12No.
11:13Almost gentle.
11:14I want her to walk to it herself.
11:15I went back to my bedroom,
11:17locked the door,
11:18took out the small white porcelain bottle,
11:20Morwena's gift,
11:21the court midwife at my birth.
11:23For 17 years, they told me
11:25it was the only reason I didn't fall apart.
11:27I believed them.
11:28I drank it every morning
11:29until I stopped asking what was in it.
11:31I set the bottle on the windowsill.
11:33This time, I didn't lift it to my mouth.
11:35Six hours later,
11:36the headache started behind my left eye.
11:38By dusk, I was sweating through my collar.
11:40My hands wouldn't stay still.
11:42Lillian, you've been burning me alive for 17 years.
11:45The girl in the mirror looked back.
11:47Her eyes were darker than I remember.
11:49That fire's about to turn around.
11:51I'm gonna put it under your door.
11:53And then I'm gonna stand in the garden
11:54and watch the smoke.
11:56I had been off the bottle for three days.
11:58The headaches were duller now.
11:59What replaced them was harder to name.
12:01A low heat behind my ribs.
12:03A sharpness in my hearing I did not used to have.
12:06That morning, I caught the scent of rain 20 minutes before the rain came.
12:10I did not tell anyone.
12:12My wolf was waking up.
12:14Slowly, quietly, the invitation came on argent silver paper.
12:18Adoption tea.
12:19Highmere Westgarden.
12:20Thursday at 4.
12:21The Westgarden was set for war.
12:23Six high-pack daughters in pale silk.
12:25The thorn girl very carefully did not make eye contact with me.
12:28Lady Selina.
12:30Sit.
12:30A maid placed an argent silver cup in front of every girl.
12:34Heavy-rimmed.
12:35Handles shaped like a wolf's curled tail.
12:37A second maid stepped behind my chair
12:39and set down a plain white porcelain cup.
12:41No crest.
12:42Lady Vae's spoon stopped halfway to Lady Vae's mouth.
12:45The queen consort did not look at me.
12:46Some bloodlines react poorly to silver, dear.
12:50Your majesty is so thoughtful.
12:51Then the terrace door opened.
12:53Father Alaric.
12:54Senior high priest.
12:5561 years inside the silver moon walls.
12:58Alaric had blessed the queen consort's own moon vows.
13:01Alaric bowed to her majesty first.
13:03Protocol.
13:04Then Alaric stopped at my chair.
13:05And Alaric bent his head lower
13:07than he had just bent it to the queen consort.
13:09My lady.
13:10Alaric had just bowed to a raven crest.
13:12The true line.
13:13The one that should have sat at the head of this table.
13:16Alaric's body knew.
13:17The queen consort knew what it meant.
13:19So did every woman at that table.
13:21Back in my bedroom, I uncorked the porcelain bottle.
13:24I poured the rest into the wash basin.
13:26I pressed two fingers to my neck.
13:28My pulse was steadier than it had any right to be.
13:31Deeper.
13:32Nobody in that court knows what is coming back.
13:3417 years of being burned down to a quiet, pale, forgettable girl.
13:39First time as Salim's betrothed,
13:41Adrian walked up the ravenhess steps in dove gray mourning dress
13:44with a small black velvet box.
13:47Inside, an Algent royal hairpin.
13:50800 years old.
13:52Moonstone center.
13:53Wolf and moon engraving.
13:55Lady Ravenhust had been crying since breakfast.
13:57Happy crying.
13:58The kind Lady Ravenhust had never once cried for Selina before.
14:02Last life.
14:02When my husband first walked me in this door,
14:05Lady Ravencrest told the housekeeper to wipe the threshold after I crossed it.
14:08A maid came running.
14:10Lord Ravencrest, please.
14:12Lady Lillian, the east wing, she's...
14:14The maid could not finish the word.
14:17The whole house moved.
14:18Lord Ravenfield, Lady Ravenfield, Cassian, Selene's older brother, in from his regiment.
14:23Adrian set the velvet box down without looking at it.
14:25Slow.
14:26Selina had seen this scene before.
14:28Not in this life.
14:29In the next one over.
14:31The attic.
14:31One window.
14:33Cedar beams.
14:34A length of white silk ribbon folded neatly on the floorboards beside the chair.
14:39Lillian was already in Adrian's arms.
14:41Long lashes wet.
14:42A delicate flutter of breath against Adrian's collarbone.
14:46Not a mark on Lillian's throat.
14:48Cassian gripped Lillian's free hand.
14:50Lily.
14:51Lily, listen to me.
14:54Nobody in this family will leave you.
14:56Do you hear me?
14:58Nobody.
14:59Lady Ravencowls stroked Lillian's hair.
15:01Sweet girl.
15:03Sweet, sweet girl.
15:05Lord Ravencrest wiped his eyes with his sleeve like a farmhand.
15:09He saw me in the doorway.
15:10He did not see Lillian.
15:12What he saw.
15:13A pale girl.
15:14Lips bloodless.
15:15A thin pink ring of strain around my irises.
15:18He does not know Wolfsbane withdrawal when he sees it.
15:21He does not know I have been off the bottle for two days.
15:23What he knew.
15:24Something in his own chest pulled.
15:26Sharp and hot.
15:27He chalked it up to a poor night's sleep.
15:29Down the garden path.
15:30Alone.
15:31White roses.
15:33Lillian was at the attic glass.
15:35Color back in her cheeks.
15:36One small hand on the windowpane.
15:38She smiled at me.
15:40Soft.
15:41Sweet.
15:42Triumphant.
15:42Three days after the attic, the wind had turned in Ravencrest.
15:46Half the high-pack matrons found their way to Lillian's daybed before noon.
15:50By Thursday, Lady Ravencrest asked the housekeeper whether Lillian might still come to the Equinos
15:55reet.
15:56That afternoon, a courier from the Silvermoon Court came through the Algem West Wing.
16:01Six lines on sheepful parchment in the queen consort's own hand.
16:06Should Lady Selene Ravencrest, prior to the exchange of moon vows, be revealed to possess
16:11a flaw of bloodline, character, or conduct unbecoming of a future lunar queen?
16:15The Algen House reserves the unilateral right to withdraw said vows.
16:20A backup plan.
16:21A girl who could be torn up at any time.
16:24The Hall of Elders.
16:26Twelve along both sides.
16:28The queen concord at the head, hands folded.
16:30Adrian read it once.
16:31Adrian.
16:32Read it again.
16:33Stood up.
16:34Adrian picked up the parchment.
16:36Tore it.
16:37Crosswise.
16:38Then again.
16:39Then again.
16:40Adrian's gold eyes had gone to a color the Elders hadn't seen in 400 years.
16:45A slow, banked fire.
16:47The pieces fell on the council table.
16:49Adrian faced his mother.
16:51Full court protocol.
16:52Hand on chest.
16:54Mother.
16:54The queen consort may add any clause to Adrian's moon vows.
16:58As long as the clause protects Selene, the queen consort may not add a single word that
17:03lets Adrian throw Selene away.
17:05The queen consort did not answer.
17:07He came back to Ravencrest before sundown.
17:09He found me in the small drawing room.
17:12Tea I had not drunk.
17:13Hands folded to hide the tremor.
17:15He did not ask about Lillian.
17:17Did not mention the attic.
17:18Did not perform anything.
17:19He knelt one knee.
17:21He opened the velvet box.
17:23He orin velva.
17:24May I?
17:26He lifted my hair off my shoulder with the back of his bandaged hand.
17:30The hand that had closed around a silver blade for me four nights ago.
17:33He slid the Argent royal hairpin in just above my left temple.
17:37Slow.
17:38The yellow gold settled cool against my scalp.
17:40His fingertip brushed the shell of my ear.
17:43Without warning.
17:44My eyes filled.
17:45He saw it.
17:47He did not say a word.
17:48He brought his bandaged hand up.
17:50He caught the one tear on his knuckle before it could fall.
17:54He came back at dawn.
17:56Adrian set it on the writing desk and opened it the way a surgeon opens a chest.
18:00A glass vial of Britonite.
18:02Court tagged.
18:03A list of every servant who touched a wine tray on first moon night.
18:06A velvet purse Lillian had once gifted Marcus.
18:08Slit open.
18:09One silver thread.
18:10One folded note.
18:11One dried sprig of irie.
18:13And, last, half a porcelain wine cup.
18:16On the underside, a single scratched red mark.
18:18He found my proof.
18:20The one detail I never told him.
18:22I'm not going to ask if you knew.
18:24Good.
18:25I'm going to ask you what you want to do.
18:27My sister doesn't die yet.
18:28He waited.
18:29She watches my moon vows.
18:31She watches the silver moon court bow when my name is read.
18:35She watches my father take back the seat at the head table she made him give her.
18:39She watches every high-pack matriarch who kurtzled to her three Oscars ago kurt to me instead.
18:44And then, only then, she finds out what's waiting at the bottom of the cup.
18:48Understood.
18:49You're not going to ask me why?
18:51No.
18:51I figured most of it out at the gate.
18:52When she pointed at you and called you a brothel pup.
18:55I'll wait for the rest.
18:56Two lifetimes.
18:57The first man who didn't ask me to explain my anger before he agreed to back it.
19:02He came around the desk.
19:04Looked at me.
19:05Bruise on my collarbone from his teeth four nights ago had faded to a pale violet ring.
19:09He lifted his hand.
19:11Stopped.
19:12Asked.
19:13With his eyes.
19:14I owe you a clean memory of me touching you.
19:16You don't owe me anything, your highness.
19:18He drew me into his chest.
19:20Slow.
19:21No drug in his blood this time.
19:23No haze.
19:24I let my forehead rest on his shoulder for exactly four seconds.
19:29Then I stepped back.
19:31He didn't try to keep me.
19:33Across the gardens.
19:34In the east wing.
19:36Lillian Ravencrest on her knees.
19:38In front of a small panel of floorboards she'd plied up the night before.
19:42Under the panel.
19:44A flat priest's disc.
19:46Etched with old runes.
19:47What do I do now?
19:49She'd been calling that name into the dark for years.
19:52A household prayer.
19:54A dead midwife's charm.
19:55She didn't know the woman who answered was the one who'd built her cage.
19:59Across the manor.
20:00In Adrian's harms.
20:01My eyes closed.
20:03The red ring around my irises had thinned by a shade.
20:06On the windowsill.
20:08The porcelain bottle was down to a quarter.
20:10Palace gates would not open.
20:12Lillian had been so sure the gates would open.
20:14She powdered her face for an hour.
20:16She wore the pearl blue cloak the queen consort once said brought out her eyes.
20:21Her majesty is not receiving visitors today.
20:24Three different guards.
20:25Her majesty is not receiving visitors today.
20:27Three identical sentences.
20:29Her majesty is not receiving visitors today.
20:31At the fourth gate.
20:33Lillian gave up.
20:34Lillian stood on the marble steps in pearl blue silk.
20:37And watched a butcher's boy let through a side door.
20:40Because the boy had a delivery.
20:42Home before nightfall.
20:43Cloak off.
20:44East wing.
20:45Attic door locked.
20:47Panel up.
20:48Palms flat on the priest's disc.
20:50Morwenna.
20:51Lillian's voice cracked.
20:53The queen consort won't see me.
20:55The matriarchs are starting to talk.
20:56Adrian tore up my supplemental claws in front of the council.
20:59I need you to fix the blessing again.
21:01Just reinforce it.
21:03Please.
21:04Silence.
21:05Then not in Lillian's ears.
21:07But in the back of Lillian's skull.
21:09The way Morwenna's answers always came.
21:11Use Cassian.
21:13Three words.
21:14Cold.
21:14Final.
21:15She sat back on her heels.
21:16He had loved her like a first daughter since she was four.
21:20An unmated alpha with a soft spot that size was exactly the kind of weapon she knew how to use.
21:26She unlocked the bottom drawer.
21:28She pulled out the vial.
21:30Velvet Fang's mark was etched in the glass.
21:33One dose of Bride Knight was left inside.
21:35She smoothed her hair.
21:37She practiced the smile.
21:39Cassian will believe anything Lillian tells Cassian.
21:43Cassian always has.
21:46The family dinner was Mother's idea.
21:48Just direct blood.
21:50We need to be a family again before the moon vows.
21:53Which meant Lillian was coming back to the table.
21:55Neither of them had the spine to say no.
21:58Father at the head.
21:59Mother to his right.
22:00Cassius to his left back from the regiment.
22:03Lillian below Mother.
22:05Then me.
22:05Then Adrian.
22:07Sitting on my side.
22:08His bandaged hand resting open beside mine.
22:11Between the soup and the lamb.
22:12Mother brought it out.
22:14A small lacquered box.
22:16Five generations old.
22:17She lifted out the silver comb.
22:20My grandmother held this on her first moon.
22:22My mother.
22:23Me.
22:24Tradition says.
22:25A true born ravenfeshed daughter passes a hand over it.
22:28And if the blood is good.
22:29The silver knows.
22:30Lillian took the comb.
22:32She'd taken it 18 times in her life.
22:34She knew the trick.
22:36What she had not been raised on was how much it would hurt the 18th time.
22:39After three days kneeling on a priest disc asking a witch for fresh favors.
22:43A silver bit.
22:44A clean line of white pain shot up her wrist.
22:47She felt the skin start to lift in a blister.
22:49She held the comb for the regulation three seconds.
22:52Set it back.
22:53Light hand.
22:54Beautiful.
22:54Her smile was perfect.
22:56Under the linen her left fist was tight enough the nails broke skin.
22:59Mother turned to me.
23:00Salona.
23:01Mother had never put this comb in front of me before.
23:04Last life.
23:05By the time I came back to Ravenwith, the comb had been lost in a move.
23:09Just for tradition, dear.
23:12Just so we can all see.
23:13I let the comb settle into my palm.
23:16No bite.
23:17No heat.
23:18Then the silver caught light that wasn't in the room and gave it back.
23:22A faint white glow ran the length of the handle.
23:24Mother's hand was halfway to her mouth.
23:27Cassian's chair scraped a quarter inch backward on its own.
23:30Father set his fork down very carefully.
23:33Lillian laughed very lightly.
23:35Oh, mother, you know Selina.
23:37She's always been a bit off.
23:39Probably some funny, low blood reaction.
23:42Even silver gets confused.
23:44Across the city, in his study at High Meal Palace,
23:47Adrian Valentine Rowe was reading a report on grain prices.
23:49At 8.14pm, the exact minute the silver glowed in my palm,
23:53he set the report down, put one hand flat against his sternum,
23:56and waited for whatever was happening inside his chest to stop.
24:00It didn't stop.
24:01For almost a minute.
24:04He told himself.
24:05He hadn't slept well.
24:07I went back to my room before pudding.
24:10Knelt on the hearth in my dinner slicks.
24:12Pushed the white porcelain bottle deep under the bed of cold ash.
24:16Lillian came to my door at sunrise.
24:18Pale silk wrapper.
24:20Eyes red around the edges.
24:21The careful walk of a girl who had not slept.
24:24Selina.
24:25Please.
24:26Cassian wants to apologize.
24:28For First Moon.
24:29For taking my side too fast.
24:30Cassian is too proud to say it in the house.
24:32Cassian will only say it at the West Tower.
24:34The West Tower.
24:35Cedar woods.
24:3620 minutes walk from the Manon.
24:38Last life.
24:39Lillian sets Selina up with Marcus in a garden gabbo.
24:42This life.
24:42Selina's big brother in a tower.
24:44Same script.
24:45Better casting.
24:46Of course.
24:46Lead the way.
24:49Last life.
24:49She set me up with Marcus in a garden gabobie.
24:52This life.
24:52My big brother in a tower.
24:54Same script.
24:55Better casting.
24:56Lillian walked ahead.
24:58Lillian looked back once.
25:00Lillian smiled once.
25:02Then Lillian looked back again.
25:05Three times.
25:06Three smiles.
25:08Each one a little wider.
25:10Twenty paces from the tower door.
25:11The wind shifted.
25:13Selene caught it on the back of Selina's throat.
25:14The smell of a man Selene had bitten through the skin four nights ago.
25:18Brightonite.
25:18There you are.
25:19Found you in the trees.
25:20The tower door was unlashed.
25:22Lillian stopped.
25:23Turned.
25:23The careful smile was gone.
25:25After you, Selina.
25:26She lifted her hand to my shoulder.
25:28A small push.
25:29I let her hand land.
25:31While her weight was on it.
25:32While she was already mid-shove.
25:34I stepped sideways.
25:36Half a body's length.
25:37Clean.
25:38Her push went through empty air.
25:40She stumbled forward.
25:41I caught her under the arms.
25:42Dragged her three feet through the open door.
25:44Set her down inside.
25:45Gently.
25:46The way I would lay down a dress.
25:47On the bed at the back of the room, Cassian was already half gone.
25:50Shirt open.
25:51Skin slick.
25:52Argent blue eyes blown black.
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