rt racing. The rain pattered softly against the ston

o armored soldiers marched by, swords at their wais

cursed silently

iers' fading footsteps. The rain'

ut from between the pillars. She pulled up the hood of

. The guards' voices carried from the front entranc

incing at the faint creak. She slipped t

reathed in deeply. The feel of freedom, even

eps fast, and eyes constantly looking aro

could hear the flute music and the laughter of drunk

ion. Ravenna stopped, slipping out her dagger. "

r, patting the bush. A black cat emerged, i

What are you doing out here?" She bent

n't you?" She returned her dagger to

d its shiny black fur, noticing a collar. Ravenna looke

d, huh?" Ravenna thought

h my cat?" a baritone voice asked fr

see her soul. Her heart skipped a beat. The stranger's face was chiseled, like Eragus, the Valtoria god of attractio

could hold anything...

at?" he asked, towering over her

How do I know she's yours?

ne hand, dagger pointed

iful blade, like its wielder. Beautifu

meone aside Percival had called her beauti

histling a tune. "

f Ravenna, trotti

oping up the cat. "She's

r, eyes locked on his. "Yo

d. " And

ting to reveal her identit

nd wet, but she could suddenly feel hot. Ravenna's heart

." She said turn

g my cat." The stran

eel him watching her walk away and it made her

away. Ravenna entered the tavern, the door creaking shut behind her. The air reeked

ng for one face. Ser-Arik sat at t

Ravenna ap

darting around before graspin

ady? What if someone sees you?

, "No one saw me

eful. No one must see the future queen of

ened. "You know ab

Percival told m

rled in distaste.

in. "Why are you

. "I need new goods. I'

producing a leather bag

widening at the colorful l

No price, my lady. They're

le held a hin

master for five years, unde

r-Arik. I won'

e now, before so

bowing her h

cloak, Ser-Arik whispered, "Ma

, disappearing

her departure, leaving Ser-

e palace, heart racing. She

her breath. Her mother, Queen

s checking on her, a ritua

o I do?" Ravenna muttered

the far end, inaccess

Ravenna tied the bag firmly arou

o be caught by guards as

enna pushed herself up,

.With a grunt, she fell insid

breathed, sli

her bed, laying on it, p

, and Queen Elyria fl

nk the gods," her mot

avenna sat up, a misch

nto sleeping garments

n, a faint mewling so

e stranger's cat. She could see the str

nd; "Beautiful maidens sho

quickly shook it off. She would play with as

avenna's chamber, he

as she been gone?

"Two hours,

ds, Ravenna will not be the death of me! The

ntered, dressed in riding attire, h

e in the gods' name have you been,

"I went riding, Mother.

ook over. "Quick, Isla, prepare the bath. S

ed her eyes,

venna's scrubbing

gown, which Ravenna ha

lyria ordered, Ravenna's co

't breathe," R

oice stern

ealing cleavage. Ravenna felt naked. Yellow was not her c

Elyria commanded, gest

ent straight to w

wung open, announcing R

altoria and Princess Raven

ank until her mother whispe

rced a

st Majesty, King Zariel Blackth

as Ravenna f

tranger from

rcing b

road

oice. The voice that had sent shivers down her spine. He reached

tting in. The gown wasn't helping matters. T