Page 154 of Ravenrose

When her dark magic consumed the Highlands, killing her husband and son and taking out most of the Daekhari Court alongside them, my father rode in with his armies and allies to take her down.

With the Daekhari Kingdom in disarray, she had been ill-prepared to fend off such a strong outside attack and was quickly defeated. However, instead of facing her defeat, she chose to flee.

She had to. With the king and his heir dead, she had no way to claim the throne. The tethering prevented her from inheriting the kingdom’s power, and she was left with no choice, and Daekhar fell to ruin.

Now, the highlands are little more than ruins and clans of raiders.

But, even I know enough not to underestimate a demon powerful enough to destroy an entire kingdom.

Slowly, I nod. “Okay.”

Ayer studies my reaction, as if he was expecting more of an argument. I know my life means little to him, but he still needs me alive for whatever he and Theo have planned. So I’m confident that at the very least, their plans don’t include the Demon Queen ripping out my heart to feast on tonight.

Ayer’s lips part as if he wants to say something else, but Theo steps forward. His eyebrows are bunched together in concern, his skin a little pale, and he’s missing his usual easy smile.

“She’s on her way,” Theo reminds us. I barely recognize the seriousness in his tone.

Ayer swears, pushing the bundle of cloth Ana just gave him into my hands. “Put this on.”

I hold up the fabric, taking a closer look, when horror washes over me. It’s a dress, though the sheer lack of fabric might disagree.

“You want me to wear—this?” I stare up at him. “Absolutely not.”

I try shoving it back into his hands, but he just pushes me—and the dress—into the washroom instead.

“She has to believe you’re only a slave,” he says tightly. “Trust me, Rowan, you do not want the consequences if she learns otherwise.”

I’m shaking my head when I hear my name again. Softly. Pleading.

“Rowan.”

I glance up at Ayer—truly looking at him this time. His use of my name does something to me I can’t quite explain.

“You have no reason to,” he starts, his eyes fixed on mine. “But, I need you to trust me.”

I chew my lip, searching his eyes. The urgency grows by the second before I finally concede, dropping my gaze to give a quick nod of my head, and then I back up slowly into the washroom.

Closing the door behind me, I release a shaky breath and start stripping off my leathers to trade it for⁠—

The dress’ fabric is thin and utterly see-through. The silky fabric dips low, revealing most of my chest, and silk straps crisscross my stomach, leaving most of my skin exposed. The skirt is hardly any better—slits cut nearly to the waistline, and shift as I walk, leaving only a few inches of cloth to cover my front.

It leaves me vulnerable. Giving easy access to my body from all directions.

My stomach twists, and I forcefully swallow the bile that rises in my throat as I remember Riggs’ hand when he found that tear in my skirt.

I shove the memory away, walling it off inside a fortress in my mind.

The mirror offers me a reflection I barely recognize.

The dress leaves my arms bare. The dark curling rune contrasts sharply with my pale skin. The bandage covering my wound stands out at my exposed side. I rip it off.

The wound I’d taken from Ayer has already started to heal, but the cut is still raw and angry and sits conveniently between two of the straps. I leave it uncovered. Proof of violence, which I’m sure the Demon Queen will enjoy.

I stare at it until my expression turns blank, and then with a deep breath, I walk back into the room.

Despite his solemn demeanor, the prince lets out a low whistle as he takes me in, and I feel a blush creep across my cheeks.

Ayer shoots him a glare sharp enough to kill.