Caspian’s POV
The afternoon sun slanted through the Academy’s tall windows, sharp and almost accusatory, as if it knew exactly how terrible my life choices had been up to this point. I should’ve been enjoying the calm after the chaos of last night’s trial, basking in the sweet relief of wards stabilized and students alive. Instead, my thoughts had latched onto one thing—and one thing only: the hairpin.
That blasted hairpin.
I remembered clearly giving it to Riven as a gift last month, a token of appreciation for being competent, loyal, and not completely insufferable. Stormborne House prized loyalty above all else, and I had thought, in my infinite wisdom, that Riven deserved a little recognition. I never imagined that this tiny piece of metal could end up causing chaos for Ari—or worse
