Cassandra's POV
I hadn't eaten in three days. Hadn't slept.
But I was going to face Adrian Ravenshade.
The palace messenger led me through familiar corridors. Nobles whispered as I passed—the traitor's daughter, summoned like a criminal.
I held my head high. Let them stare.
Lord Ravenshade is in the Queen's council chamber, the messenger said. He asked to speak with you before you see Her Majesty.
My stomach knotted. Why?
He didn't say.
The council chamber doors opened.
Adrian stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back. When he heard me enter, he turned.
For a moment, we just stared at each other.
He looked exhausted. Dark circles under his eyes. Jaw shadowed with stubble. Like he hadn't slept either.
You came, he said quietly.
Did I have a choice? I stepped inside, keeping distance between us. What do you want?
To help you.
I laughed bitterly. Help me? You've done enough.
Cassandra
Lady Silvercrest, I corrected coldly. Though hearing my name in his voice did something strange to my pulse.
His jaw tightened. The Queen is about to make you an offer. A trap disguised as mercy. I tried to stop it, but—
But what? You're the great Shadow Duke. Surely you have power.
Not over her. Frustration flickered in his eyes. She's been planning this for years. Your father discovered something that threatened her. That's why she eliminated him. And now she's coming for you.
The words hit like blows. You're saying you didn't want him dead?
I'm saying I testified to evidence I THOUGHT was real. He took a step closer. I forced myself not to retreat. Evidence I now believe was forged. Your father was innocent, Cassandra. And I helped kill him.
The raw guilt in his voice stopped my breath.
Then why? I whispered. Why testify?
Because the proof looked perfect. Because I was a fool. His hands clenched. Because someone very clever manipulated both of us.
The Spider, I said without thinking.
His eyes sharpened. You know that name?
Too late to take it back. My father's journal mentioned it.
You have his journal? Adrian moved closer urgently. Cassandra, that journal might be the only proof we
The door burst open.
Commander Thorne entered. The Queen will see you now, Lady Silvercrest.
Adrian's eyes locked on mine. A silent plea.
Trust me. Work with me.
I wanted to. God help me, something in me wanted to believe him.
But my father was still dead.
I turned and walked toward the throne room.
Behind me, I heard Adrian curse softly.
Then his footsteps, following.
The throne room stretched before me, all marble and gold. But I barely noticed. My eyes locked on the woman sitting on the throne.
Queen Regent Isolde Blackthorne looked like an ice sculpture come to life. Beautiful. Cold. Deadly.
Lady Silvercrest. Her voice was silk over steel. How kind of you to come.
As if I'd had a choice.
I curtsied, though it felt like swallowing glass. Your Majesty.
You look terrible, dear. Have you been eating?
The casual cruelty made my hands clench. She'd ordered my father's execution. Stolen everything we owned. And now she commented on my appearance like we were at a tea party.
Grief affects the appetite, I said carefully.
I suppose it does. She smiled. Your family committed treason. The evidence was overwhelming. But I want you to know—I take no pleasure in executing traitors. It's simply necessary.
Liar. I could see the satisfaction in her eyes.
Of course, Your Majesty.
Your brother, Marcus, is currently in the palace dungeons. She examined her nails. He's been charged with conspiracy. The trial is set for next week.
My heart stopped. He's seventeen. He knew nothing about
About your father's treasonous activities? Perhaps. Perhaps not. She looked at me directly. Either way, the penalty for treason is death. Even for children.
I couldn't breathe. The room spun.
However, Isolde continued, I am not without mercy. Your brother could live. If you do something for me.
Hope and dread warred in my chest. What do you want?
A marriage. A political alliance to unite the Northern and Southern factions. To show the kingdom that the civil war truly is over.
My mind raced. You want me to marry a Southern lord.
Not just any Southern lord. Her smile widened. Lord Adrian Ravenshade.
The world tilted.
Adrian Ravenshade. The Shadow Duke. The man whose testimony had murdered my father.
No. The word came out strangled. You can't—he destroyed my family!
Exactly. Isolde leaned forward. Don't you see the poetry in it? The disgraced Northern lady forced to marry the Southern lord who brought down her house. A fitting punishment for treasonous blood, don't you think?
Punishment. That's what this was. Not alliance. Not unity. Torture.
I won't do it, I whispered.
Then your brother hangs. She said it so casually. Like discussing the weather. The execution is already scheduled. One week from today. Unless you agree to the marriage.
You're a monster.
I'm a queen. She stood, descending from the throne. And I'm offering you a choice, Cassandra. Marry Lord Ravenshade, or watch your baby brother swing from a rope. Which will it be?
My vision blurred. Marcus's terrified face flashed through my mind.
I had no power here. No allies. No options.
Why would Lord Ravenshade agree to this? I asked desperately. He hates my family as much as I hate him.
Oh, he's already agreed. Isolde's smile was cruel. In fact, he suggested it.
The betrayal hit like a physical blow. He suggested marrying me?
Three days ago. Right after your father's execution. She circled me slowly, like a predator. He came to me and said the best way to ensure peace was a marriage between the two most powerful houses. His idea entirely.
I looked at the guards flanking the throne. No escape.
Then my eyes found Adrian.
He stood to the side of the throne, face carefully blank. But his hands were clenched into fists.
This was the marriage he'd suggested?
His eyes met mine. And I saw it clearly, fury. Not at me.
At the Queen.
You said Lord Ravenshade suggested this marriage, I said slowly, watching his face. Is that true, my lord?
Adrian's jaw worked. The Queen smiled, waiting to see what he'd do.
No, he said flatly. Her Majesty commanded it. I had no choice either.
The Queen's smile faltered for just a second.
How noble, Isolde said smoothly. Trying to spare the girl's feelings. But we both know you agreed readily enough when I explained the... benefits.
Benefits? I asked.
Control of Northern estates, the Queen purred. Access to Silvercrest resources. A beautiful wife to warm your bed while you consolidate power.
I looked at Adrian. His face had gone white with rage.
Is that what you want? I asked him directly. A political toy?
No. His voice was raw. That's not, I didn't
Enough, the Queen cut him off. The decision is made. Marry, or the boy hangs. Choose now.
I had no power. No options.
But I had one weapon.
I walked toward Adrian. He went very still.
I stopped inches from him. Close enough to see his pulse jumping in his throat. Close enough to smell leather and steel and something warm.
If I do this, I said quietly, for his ears only, and you try to 'control' me or use me or hurt my brother... I will destroy you. I don't care how long it takes. Understand?
His gray eyes burned into mine. I don't want to control you. I want to protect you.
Liar.
I'm many things. But not about this. He leaned down, voice dropping lower. We're both trapped in this. But we don't have to be enemies. Your father trusted me once. Maybe you could—
My father is dead because of you.
Pain flashed across his face. Real, deep pain.
And God help me, I felt it echo in my own chest.
Yes, he said hoarsely. He is. And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to fix it.
The air between us felt electric. Dangerous.
I stepped back before I did something stupid.
Like believe him.
I'll marry you, I told the Queen, not breaking eye contact with Adrian. But not for you. For Marcus.
Excellent! Isolde clapped. The wedding is in five days. That gives you plenty of time to prepare. To practice smiling at your new husband.
Five days. Seven days to marry the man who'd killed my father.
Adrian's eyes never left mine.
And something in their depths looked almost like... hope.