RAVETHORNE🐺

Chapter Thirteen

When Joy Turned to Ashes

Adelaide Nightvale...

The morning sun bathed the Eyre estate in a warm golden glow, as though the heavens themselves had descended to bless the occasion.

It was Annora's wedding day.

And she looked breathtaking.

The gown embraced her slender figure before flowing into soft layers of ivory silk embroidered with delicate wildflowers in shades of blush, champagne, and pale gold. A finely boned corset cinched her waist, while translucent fabric draped gently over her shoulders like morning mist. Every flower sewn into the gown seemed freshly plucked from an enchanted meadow, giving her the appearance of a woodland princess rather than a noble bride.

Her long ebony hair, usually left straight upon her back, had been gathered into an elegant, slightly messy bun. Tiny pearl and crystal butterflies nestled among the dark strands, catching the sunlight whenever she moved. From beneath them flowed a long veil that danced softly with the breeze.

She was beautiful.

More beautiful than I had ever seen her.

"I feel so nervous," she confessed, tapping her foot endlessly against the wooden floor.

I smiled.

"It'll be alright."

"You worry far too much."

"I hope you're right."

I wished I could borrow even a fraction of her worries.

Mine were far worse.

Less than two days remained before Gwen's ultimatum expired, and despite searching every book I could find, I had discovered nothing that could help her conceive through magic.

Nothing.

At this point...

My only hope was Eudoria.

I hated burdening her again, but I had run out of options.

If Gwen exposed my friendship with one of the Forsaken...

She wouldn't destroy only me.

She would destroy everyone.

"My precious girl..."

Aunt Sibylla entered the room, her eyes already shimmering with tears.

"You look absolutely beautiful."

She placed a small velvet box into Annora's hands.

"This belonged to my mother."

"And now..."

"It belongs to you."

Her voice trembled.

"I only wish your father could have seen you in your wedding dress."

Mother and daughter embraced tightly.

Annora blinked rapidly, trying not to cry.

She opened the box.

Inside rested a delicate silver necklace.

At its center was a butterfly crafted from moonstone and tiny sapphires, its wings glittering softly beneath the morning light.

"Oh!"

"It's beautiful!"

She turned toward me with an excited grin.

"Put it on for me."

I fastened the necklace around her neck.

It completed her perfectly.

"So..."

A familiar voice interrupted.

"You're finally leaving."

Vesper leaned lazily against the doorway before tossing another box toward his sister.

Annora caught it suspiciously.

"Finally rid of you too."

She opened it.

Her face immediately fell.

"A dagger?"

She stared at him.

"Seriously?"

Vesper shrugged.

"You won't have us nearby anymore."

"If anyone hurts you..."

He folded his arms.

"Stab them."

"Then come home."

Silence followed.

Then Annora laughed through her tears before throwing herself into his arms.

Watching them...

I couldn't help smiling.

At the same time...

A strange ache settled inside me.

How wonderful it must be...

To have a sibling.

The ceremony began beneath the blooming trees of the Eyre gardens.

Laughter filled the air.

Guests admired flowers.

Musicians played softly.

For a brief moment...

Everything felt perfect.

Quietly, I slipped away.

I needed to speak with Gwen before it was too late.

I found her behind the manor.

She wasn't alone.

"How could you lie to me?"

The furious voice belonged to Emeric Mores.

His face burned with anger.

"I panicked!" Gwen cried, tears filling her eyes.

"You deceived me."

"You deceived both our families."

His voice shook.

"You have until tomorrow to tell everyone the truth."

"If you don't..."

"I will."

"No!"

She grabbed desperately at his sleeve.

"I've found another way."

"I can still become pregnant."

Emeric looked at her as though she'd lost her mind.

"You're insane."

He shoved her hand away.

"Tell them."

Then he walked away without another glance.

Only then did Gwen notice me.

Fear vanished from her face.

It became rage.

"You'd better tell me you've found something."

Her voice was low and venomous.

"Or today..."

"...will become a very memorable wedding."

My blood turned cold.

"I'm trying."

"I swear I am."

I stepped toward her.

"Please."

"Please give me more time."

She laughed bitterly.

"I'm already falling."

"So why shouldn't I drag everyone down with me?"

Before I could stop her...

She rushed toward the wedding garden.

Panic seized me.

If she spoke now—

Everything would end.

Without thinking...

I grabbed a stone from the ground.

"I'm sorry..."

The stone struck the back of her head.

She collapsed instantly.

I stood frozen.

What had I done?

I hurried to her side.

She was breathing.

Relief flooded me.

After dragging her behind a cluster of hedges where she wouldn't be seen immediately, I hurried back toward the ceremony.

But something was wrong.

The laughter had vanished.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Guests stood frozen.

Faces filled with pity.

Aunt Sibylla was sobbing.

Vesper stared blankly into the distance.

Annora...

Had collapsed into tears.

"What happened?"

I whispered.

She threw herself into my arms.

"Father..."

"Father is dead."

The words shattered the world around me.

"What?"

"I thought the palace had only delayed him."

She shook her head violently.

"They lied."

"Erpha..."

"Father's assistant..."

"He was found barely alive outside the village."

"He'd lost an arm."

"He brought Father's token..."

"...and the last letter Father ever wrote."

Her sobs became unbearable.

"They're trying to hide his death."

The happiest day of her life...

Had become the worst.

I couldn't bring myself to tell her about Gwen.

Not now.

Not today.

Instead...

I slipped away.

The Forest.......

"Eudoria!"

My voice echoed through the trees.

Nothing answered.

I called again.

Still...

Silence.

Was she helping rescue the White Witch?

I desperately needed her.

"Wretched little witch."

Pain exploded across my back.

I cried out as another blow landed across my arm.

I spun around.

Gwen.

Her eyes burned with madness.

"You tried to kill me!"

She swung the wooden branch again.

I barely dodged it.

"You were going to ruin Annora's wedding!"

"Our own family's happiness!"

She laughed bitterly.

"I have no family!"

Another swing.

Another dodge.

"You've always had one!"

I shouted.

"My father and Aunt Sibylla gave you everything!"

"Nothing was ever enough!"

She stopped.

For a moment...

Tears filled her eyes.

"My whole life..."

"They called me abandoned."

"They whispered behind my back."

"They reminded me I was the child of a failed love match."

"You'll never understand."

"No."

I shook my head.

"I won't."

"But gossip doesn't justify destroying those who loved you."

Her expression twisted.

"You know nothing."

She charged.

I stepped back.

My foot struck a loose stone.

I crashed onto the forest floor.

I looked up.

She was gone.

Simply...

Gone.

The forest had swallowed her.

"Adelaide!"

Eudoria burst through the trees.

Her face was pale with terror.

"We have to leave!"

"Now!"

She grabbed my arm.

"What happened?"

"Where's Gwen?"

"There isn't time!"

Her voice trembled.

"The monster escaped!"

"It's slaughtering everything in the forest."

"My people..."

She swallowed hard.

"So many are dead."

A scream pierced the trees.

Gwen.

I tore free from Eudoria.

"Gwen!"

I ran toward the sound.

Then...

I stopped.

The world stood still.

A body lay before me.

Headless.

Blood poured from the severed neck, soaking the earth crimson.

There was no need to see the face.

I knew.

My knees weakened.

Tears blurred my vision.

"Oh..."

"Gwen..."

A deafening roar echoed somewhere deeper within the forest.

Pure instinct took over.

I turned...

And ran.

I never once looked back.