Katerina's POV
My hands shake as I photograph document after document.
Click. A letter from Adrian promising Aldric half of Celestria's wealth.
Click. Plans to poison Queen Isadora—my mother—written in my brother's own hand.
Click. Orders to frame Princess Katerina for treason, signed by King Aldric himself.
Click. The most recent letter, planning Damien's murder.
Evidence of a conspiracy so massive it makes my head spin. Adrian and Aldric working together from the beginning. Playing everyone—including Damien and me—like pieces on a board.
I need to get this to Damien. Show him that his own father betrayed him. Prove that everything he believed was a lie.
But he's three days away at the eastern border, fighting Adrian's mercenaries.
And I'm alone in a palace full of enemies.
I'm photographing the last document when I hear voices in the main archive room.
My blood turns to ice.
told you, no one's been in here. The lock was secure.
Check anyway. His Majesty wants every room searched.
Guards. Multiple guards. And they're coming closer.
I shove the documents back onto the shelves as quietly as possible, my heart hammering so loud I'm sure they can hear it. The hidden door is still open behind me—if they find it, if they see this room, they'll know someone discovered the conspiracy.
I slip back through the door and pull it closed just as lamplight floods the main archive room.
See? Empty.
Search it thoroughly. King Aldric's orders.
Aldric. Of course. He probably has spies watching the archives, and they reported someone broke in.
I press myself against the wall, barely breathing, as footsteps move through the room. They're checking the shelves, the windows, every possible hiding place.
I'm trapped.
If they find me, I'm dead. Aldric won't bother with a trial this time—he'll just kill me quietly and blame it on intruders.
The footsteps come closer.
Closer.
I can see lamplight through the crack in the hidden door.
This section's clear. Let's check the upper levels.
The footsteps move away. Up the stairs to the second floor of archives.
This is my only chance.
I slip out of my hiding spot and move silently toward the main door. Every step feels too loud. Every breath too obvious.
I'm three steps from freedom when a voice calls out:
Who's there?
I don't stop. Don't think. I just run.
Intruder! Stop!
I burst through the archive door and sprint down the corridor. Shouts erupt behind me. Boots pounding on stone.
I know these passages. Lived here for three months as Damien's wife. I know which turns lead where, which doors lock from the inside.
I duck into a servant's passage and slam the door, throwing the bolt. The guards crash against it seconds later.
Get around! Cut them off at the east entrance!
I run through the narrow passage, my dress catching on rough stone. My lungs burn. But I can't stop.
The passage opens into the kitchen area. It's nearly dawn—servants are starting their morning work. I slow to a walk, trying to look casual despite my racing heart.
Lady Raven? A kitchen maid stares at me. What are you doing—
Couldn't sleep, I say, forcing a smile. Thought I'd get some air before the day starts.
She looks confused but curtsies and returns to her work.
I make my way through the kitchen and back toward my chambers, every nerve screaming. The photographs are hidden in my bodice. The most dangerous information in the kingdom, pressed against my heart.
I need to get them to Lyssa. Hide them somewhere safe before—
Lady Raven!
I turn to see Theron hurrying toward me, his face troubled.
Lord Theron. I try to keep my voice steady. You're up early.
So are you. His eyes narrow. Are you alright? You look—
I'm fine. Just restless. I start walking again. If you'll excuse me—
There's something you need to know. He falls into step beside me, his voice dropping low. Crown Prince Adrian of Celestria arrived an hour ago. Unexpected diplomatic visit.
My heart stops.
Adrian is here. In the palace. Right now.
That's... sudden, I manage.
Very. Theron's expression is grim. And the first thing he asked was about you. Wanted to know all about Prince Damien's new advisor from the Neutral Territories.
Of course he did. Adrian knows something's wrong. He probably has spies reporting that someone broke into the archives. And he knows Damien's away, leaving the palace vulnerable.
What did you tell him? I ask.
The truth. That you're acting as Damien's advisor in his absence. Theron stops walking, turning to face me. Lady Raven, I need you to be honest with me. Are you in danger from Adrian?
More than you can possibly imagine.
Why would I be? I ask carefully.
Because the way he asked about you... Theron's voice drops even lower. It reminded me of how he asked about Princess Katerina three years ago. Like he was hunting someone. And we both know how that ended.
The comparison makes my skin crawl. Because Theron's right—Adrian hunted me three years ago, and he's hunting me now.
I can handle Adrian, I lie.
Can you? Theron's hand grips my arm. Because I've seen what he does to people who get in his way. And if you're planning something against him, if you're trying to expose his schemes— He pauses. You need to be very, very careful.
I will be.
I'm serious, Raven. His eyes are intense, worried. My brother cares about you. More than he should, considering he's known you less than a week. If something happens to you, it'll destroy him. He can't lose another—
He stops himself.
Another what? I ask quietly.
Another person he failed to protect. Theron releases my arm. Just... be careful. Adrian's requesting a formal court session this morning. You'll have to face him.
Then he walks away, leaving me standing in the corridor with evidence of treason in my bodice and my brother somewhere in the palace, hunting for whoever discovered his secrets.
I find Lyssa in the servants' quarters, disguised as a laundry maid.
We have a problem, I say immediately.
Just one? She pulls me into an empty linen closet. I heard Adrian arrived. Half the palace is gossiping about it.
He knows someone found the archives. I pull out the photographs, my hands shaking. These prove everything. Adrian and Aldric working together. Plans to kill Damien. Evidence they framed me three years ago.
Lyssa's eyes widen as she looks through the images. This is enough to hang them both.
But Damien's gone. And Adrian's here, probably searching for whoever took these. I thrust the photographs at her. Hide them. Somewhere no one will find. If Adrian catches me with these—
He'll kill you. Lyssa tucks the photographs into her dress. Where should I hide them?
The Shadow Broker's safe house outside the city walls. It's the only place Adrian doesn't have access to.
That's a three-hour ride.
Then you'd better hurry. I grip her shoulders. If something happens to me, get those to Damien. Make him see the truth. Make him understand
Nothing's going to happen to you, Lyssa says fiercely.
Lyssa
No. She shakes her head. You survived execution once. You survived three years in the Neutral Territories. You survived Serena's poison. You're not dying to Adrian.
I wish I had her confidence.
Go, I say. Before someone notices you're gone.
She hesitates, then hugs me quickly. Don't do anything stupid.
When have I ever?
That's what worries me.
She slips out of the closet, and I'm alone again.
I have maybe an hour before the court session. An hour to prepare to face my brother while pretending I don't know he's planning to murder the man I—
The man I what?
Love?
No. I can't think about that. Can't let myself feel anything for Damien when I'm still lying to him about everything.
I return to my chambers and change into my most formal dress. If I'm going to face Adrian, I need to look confident. Untouchable.
Like Lady Raven Blackwood, advisor to the Blood Prince.
Not Princess Katerina Valeheart, the sister he tried to murder.
When I enter the throne room an hour later, it's packed. Every noble in the palace has gathered to see Crown Prince Adrian's unexpected visit.
Adrian stands near Damien's empty throne, looking every inch the beloved ruler. Handsome, charming, with that warm smile that hides a snake's heart.
His eyes find mine the instant I enter.
And I watch his expression shift. Confusion. Recognition. Disbelief.
He knows.
He doesn't know how, doesn't know what, but he knows something's wrong about me.
I force myself to walk forward calmly, my head high. I'm Lady Raven. I'm untouchable.
Crown Prince Adrian. I curtsy perfectly. What an unexpected honor.
Lady Raven Blackwood. He says my name like he's testing it. I've heard so much about you. Damien's mysterious new advisor from the Neutral Territories.
Nothing mysterious about me, Your Majesty. Just someone who wants to help prevent war.
How noble. His smile doesn't reach his eyes. Tell me, have we met before? You seem... familiar somehow.
My heart hammers. But I keep my face blank.
I don't believe so, Your Majesty. I've never been to Celestria.
No? He steps closer, studying me like I'm a puzzle. Strange. You have the bearing of someone with court training. The way you walk, the way you speak. Almost like nobility.
I was educated at court as a child, I say, using the lie I told Damien. Before my family fell from grace.
Ah yes. Damien mentioned that. Adrian's smile sharpens. But he didn't mention which court. Which family.
It's a trap. Whatever I say, he'll investigate. And when he finds no record, he'll know I'm lying.
Forgive me, Your Majesty, but my family's disgrace is painful to discuss.
Of course. He backs off, but his eyes never leave mine. Where is Prince Damien? I was hoping to speak with him personally.
The eastern border. Dealing with the bandit attacks.
Ah yes. Terrible business. Adrian's voice is all sympathy. No hint that he's the one funding those bandits. I actually came to offer assistance. Celestria has troops that could help secure the border.
Lies. All lies. He's here to assess the situation. To see how close I am to discovering his conspiracy.
I'm sure Prince Damien will appreciate your offer when he returns, I say carefully.
When will that be?
Two or three days.
Excellent. Adrian's smile widens. Then I'll stay until he arrives. We have so much to discuss.
The court murmurs approval. To them, this looks like diplomatic cooperation.
To me, it looks like a wolf settling in for a long hunt.
Adrian moves closer, and his voice drops so only I can hear:
I'm very curious to meet you properly, Lady Raven. Something about you doesn't add up. And I make it my business to solve puzzles.
He steps back before I can respond, addressing the court with his charming smile.
But I heard the threat in his words.
He's going to investigate me. Dig into my past. Search for proof that I'm lying.
And when he finds it—when he realizes who I really am—nothing will stop him from finishing what he started three years ago.
I have three days until Damien returns.
Three days to stay alive while my brother hunts me in my own palace.