“Wouldn’t be a loss,” I mumble.
I don't even get the words out before his palm cracks against the back of my head. “Ow—what the hell?”
“Guys…” Drew pipes in, amusement in his voice. “You might want to cut the shit before Keiran’s head explodes.”
I cut a glance at Kieran, and Drew's not wrong. He's got that look, the king that says he could snap a neck clean in two and sleep like a baby after.
Daleyza lifts her hands and signs something quickly to Ravena. Her expression shifts, and I watch the colour drain from her face when she finishes.
We have three days before Vespera finds us.
Well shit.
That wasn’t what I was expecting at all, and by the looks on all our faces, I would say it’s mutual.
Chapter 35
RAVENA
Three days.
Only three days to figure out how to save Darian. Three days to take control of my magic before Vesperas' army comes crashing down on us. For a moment, I felt something close to peace, being with them, seeing that they are okay. But that moment was fragile, slipping away fast. Because in three days, none of us is guaranteed to be okay.
I caught the flicker of betrayal in Drew's eyes when he found out about Daleyza—and I got it. Secrets like that can shatter trust. But I also understand why she kept it hidden. She didn’t want to drag them into it, not until she had to. The way she looked at them when she told them, the weight behind her actions about Vespera coming… it was clear she knew they couldn’t stay in the dark.
She didn't pressure me to reveal my secret. Perhaps it was because both of our secrets could endanger our lives—or worse, turn us into pawns in this war. However, my secret carries an additional risk: the chance that they might leave me behind. That's a pain I don't think I would survive.
So, I told them what I could.
Told them about Vespera—about the truth. That she isn’t just touched by darkness… she is it. I told them she worked with some faceless man to kill her parents, that together, they planned to take the kingdom using the dagger I now carry.I didn’t tell them everything. Not about my mother being pregnant around the time she had an altercation with Kind Draeven, that he wanted me. Not about the demon. I only told them about the time they crossed paths because he wanted something.
I wouldn’t have shared that, but Kieran heard Vespera's questions that day. And he remembers everything, because he watches, he listens. So, I told them that it was the dagger the King wanted. It’s not exactly a lie—it is connected. The dreams. The way he looked at it was like it was more dangerous than, well, me. Like it could hurt him
And maybe… It can.
Kieran told me what Darian said—that he knows what’s happening to him. That it’s a constant war inside his mind… between who he really is and whatever darkness keeps trying to take over. And even after everything, after the cruel things he said, after telling me I should’ve died to save his family—I still want to help him. I still want to bring back the boy I secretly fell for.
He was always grumpy when we met in the Whispering Woods, always on edge, always guarded. But then I started to see it—the way his face lit up when he talked about his siblings, his parents… the way his fingers moved when he spoke about playing the piano like it was part of his soul. We never touched, not because of the age difference, not because of his OCD, though those were part of it—but because deep down, I knew what touching him would mean.
He doesn’t believe he can be saved. Maybe he’s convinced the darkness has already won. But I don’t care. I refuse to give up on him. Because there’s always a way. Some magic may be cruel, but it's never without a loophole. And if there’s a spell holding him down, I’ll break it—whatever it takes.
After everything, I needed a moment alone, so I slipped outside. The woods here weren’t the same—different trees, different smells—but the crisp, cool air brushing against my skin was a relief. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, warm and golden, weaving through the chill in a way that settled the havoc inside me.
I caught sight of a pack of wolves deeper in the forest, chasing after fallen leaves like they had no worries in the world. A soft smile tugged at my lips. Then, a cool hand brushed lightly against my arm. I turned to see Daleyza standing there quietly.
“Thank you for not telling them,” I whispered, my voice barely above the rustle of the trees.
It’s your secret to tell, and them finding out now won't help anyone.Her expression is calm as her gaze drifts towards the house where they all are.They’ll need to know eventually—especially if you plan on spending your life with them.
I swallow hard because she's right. But knowing that doesn’t make it any less terrifying.
“So… you know everything?”I ask quietly.
She nods once.The moment you touched me, I saw it all. I had a migraine for days. I didn’t mean to, and I’m sorry. But one thing…She grabs my arms gently, grounding me before continuing, her signing firmer now.I don’t think you’re a monster. He is. He’s the only monster in every realm.
I lower my head, trying to hold back the sob clawing up my throat.
I swipe at my eyes, cursing the tremble in my hands. Damn it. Daleyza knows. She knows the truth, every piece of my darkness I’ve kept chained up and locked away. And she doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t look at me like I’m broken
