Raven's POV
When we returned home, the air felt heavier than usual. . I just wanted to head straight to my room and pretend this entire day hadn’t happened. But no—they were waiting for me in the living room.
My stepfather stood at the base of the grand staircase, holding something small and velvet in his palm. It was a box and I slowed down, eyeing him cautiously.
“This is for you, you should open it” he said with his tone measured and eyes softer than usual.
I hesitated before taking the box from his hand. Inside was a brooch with deep silver, ornately crafted and glinting in the chandelier light with a crimson gemstone at its center. It pulsed like a heart.
“It’s the royal badge,” he said, like it should’ve meant something monumental to me. “It marks you as one of us now. A daught
