Raven's POV
The night air was cool, almost cold, brushing against Raven's skin as she sat on the small balcony outside the room in Elyra's house. The village was quiet—too quiet for the thoughts swirling in her mind.
"Leaving…"
The idea had been echoing inside her since she stepped out of the throne room.
She did not belong here.
Not among nobles who whispered "monster."
Not among soldiers who trembled whenever she passed.
Not even among the kind smiles of the children at the orphanage… smiles she didn't want to grow attached to.
Attachment was dangerous.
Softness was dangerous.
Raven leaned back, staring at the dark sky.
She needed to grow stronger. Much stronger. The kingdom's politics, the nobles' hatred—they were all distractions. If she stayed too long, one day she might actually care about people she shouldn't.
She thought of the children… of their laughter, their trust, the way they clung to her during training.
That scared her more than the king's suspicions.
And then there was Lyria.
The princess's soft voice from earlier echoed in her mind—
"You're not a monster… they don't know you like we do."
The way she held Raven's hands.
The way her eyes shined with hurt on Raven's behalf.
That frightened Raven the most.
She didn't know what she was supposed to do now.
Stay?
Leave?
Hide?
Fight?
Every path felt wrong.
She closed her eyes and whispered to herself, "I shouldn't have stayed this long."
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Elyra Voss's POV
From the kitchen doorway, Elyra watched Raven silently through the open window. Her student sat alone on the balcony, expression unreadable in the moonlight.
Elyra sighed.
Earlier that day, Raven had suggested—almost casually—that Elyra become a trainer for the royal soldiers. It had surprised her, but now, thinking back… there was sincerity in Raven's eyes. Concern, even.
Raven wanted her to have a purpose. To stay strong. To not be lonely.
And that warmed Elyra's heart more than she expected.
But behind that warmth was a deep, gnawing worry.
Raven's power was growing—fast, dangerously fast. Too fast for the kingdom to ignore.
Elyra had seen this before.
Power invited enemies.
Fearful rulers.
Cowardly nobles.
Ambitious monsters—human and otherwise.
Raven would face all of them.
Elyra placed a hand on the windowsill, her grip tightening.
If the king ever saw the full extent of Raven's abilities…
He would fear her.
And fear made kings do terrible things.
She exhaled slowly.
Maybe she should take Raven's advice.
Become a trainer.
Stay near the military.
Build influence.
A shield—one strong enough to protect the reckless, brilliant girl she had raised.
"Raven…" she whispered, watching her student bathed in moonlight, "you have no idea how many enemies your strength will create. And you have no idea how much I fear for you."
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Princess Lyria's POV
Back in the palace, Lyria sat alone on her bed, hugging a pillow tightly to her chest. Her room was dim, lit only by a few candles. Kara slept comfortably nearby in next room , but Lyria's mind refused to rest.
Anger simmered beneath her calm exterior.
How dare those nobles speak about Raven in that way?
Calling her a monster.
Demanding she be imprisoned.
Speaking as if Raven were some uncontrollable beast instead of the girl who had saved Lyria's life—not once, but twice.
Lyria clenched the pillow tighter.
They didn't know Raven.
They didn't see her smile at the children.
They didn't see how gently she carried injured kids during training.
They didn't see the way she softened around people she trusted.
They didn't see the pain behind her eyes.
Lyria remembered the moment Raven smiled at her earlier in the day—
That smile.
So small.
So forced.
So heartbreakingly fake.
It hurt Lyria's heart.
How long has Raven been pretending everything was fine?
How many times had she endured those looks?
Those whispers?
That fear?
Lyria wanted to help her.
To protect her.
To stand beside her, even if the entire noble court stood against them both.
And she would.
She would absolutely find a way.
As she lay down, a small smile tugged at her lips.
She would see Raven again tomorrow.
That alone was enough to ease the ache in her chest.