Betrayed by her sister and robbed of her rightful place, Selene dies with nothing. Reborn on the day her fate was sealed, she returns determined to expose every lie, reclaim her birthright, and awaken her ancient wolf powers. As the Alpha King realizes he chose the wrong woman, regret becomes his greatest punishment.
Welcome to our world of addictive short dramas and emotional storytelling.
Here you’ll find viral micro dramas, romantic love stories, revenge series, dramatic plot twists, and binge-worthy vertical dramas designed for mobile viewers.
From billionaire romance and toxic relationships to heartbreak, betrayal, and unexpected endings — every episode is crafted to keep you hooked.
New short drama episodes uploaded regularly.
Watch anytime, anywhere, and enjoy cinematic storytelling in minutes.
Subscribe now for daily short dramas, trending micro drama series, and emotional love stories.
#ShortDrama #MicroDrama #VerticalDrama #MiniSeries #RomanceDrama #RevengeDrama
Welcome to our world of addictive short dramas and emotional storytelling.
Here you’ll find viral micro dramas, romantic love stories, revenge series, dramatic plot twists, and binge-worthy vertical dramas designed for mobile viewers.
From billionaire romance and toxic relationships to heartbreak, betrayal, and unexpected endings — every episode is crafted to keep you hooked.
New short drama episodes uploaded regularly.
Watch anytime, anywhere, and enjoy cinematic storytelling in minutes.
Subscribe now for daily short dramas, trending micro drama series, and emotional love stories.
#ShortDrama #MicroDrama #VerticalDrama #MiniSeries #RomanceDrama #RevengeDrama
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
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.
Comments