Raven King’s Bride

Sky Castle

Freya braced for impact, her mind a blank slate of terror as the wind screamed past her ears. The sky blurred around her, an endless expanse of clouds and light, and she closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable end.

But then, something cut through the air—a sound she recognized. The heavy, rhythmic flapping of wings.

Her eyes snapped open just as she felt strong arms wrap around her, halting her free fall abruptly. Her body jerked from the sudden stop, but the sheer relief of not plummeting to her death overwhelmed her. Her heart thundered in her chest, and she gasped for air, barely able to comprehend what had happened.

She looked up—and her breath caught.

It was him. Of course it was.

Rion’s dark, piercing eyes bore into hers, his expression a dangerous mix of fury and something she couldn’t quite place. His massive black wings stretched out behind him, powerful and commanding, their shadow falling over her like a protective shroud.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he growled, his voice low and filled with barely restrained anger. “I didn’t know you were this crazy.”

Freya couldn’t find the words to respond. She couldn’t even think. All she could do was stare at him, her pulse pounding in her ears.

“Answer me!” he snapped, his tone sharp enough to cut through the wind.

She flinched. “I—I just wanted to go home,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “I can’t stay here!”

His eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he regarded her. He didn’t respond, but the silence between them was louder than any words.

With a powerful beat of his wings, Rion ascended, holding her firmly against him. Freya gasped as they soared higher and higher, the wind biting at her exposed skin. She tried to turn her face away, embarrassed to be in his arms again, but the icy air made her cheeks burn.

She glanced sideways, and her breath stopped.

The castle came into full view, looming above the clouds like something out of a dream. It was enormous, its spires reaching toward the heavens, each one carved with intricate designs that shimmered faintly as though alive with magic. The walls were a gleaming silver-gray, inlaid with veins of gold that seemed to glow under the fading sunlight. Towers spiraled gracefully into the sky, their tops crowned with fluttering banners bearing the emblem of a raven. The entire structure seemed to float effortlessly, surrounded by a thin mist that caught the light and refracted it like a halo.

It was breathtaking.

But as beautiful as it was, it only reinforced her sense of hopelessness. How could she ever escape a place like this? A castle suspended in the air, unreachable except by flight or magic.

Rion’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Take a look below,” he said, his tone cold.

Freya hesitated, then shifted her gaze downward. She gasped. Far below them, beneath the floating castle, lay a vast city sprawling across the landscape. From this height, she could see the winding streets and the glowing lights of a magnificent city. It was unlike anything she had ever seen, a mix of ancient beauty and mystical energy. The streets seemed to pulse with life, dotted with ravens soaring between tall, elegant buildings that glittered like jewels.

“That’s Corvia,” Rion said, his voice cutting through the wind. “The heart of the Raven Kingdom. My kingdom. And soon, yours.”

Freya’s stomach twisted at his words, but she didn’t respond.

Rion motioned to the side of the castle, where a shimmering bridge stretched from one edge to the clouds below. The bridge was ethereal, made of glowing, translucent material that seemed to ripple like water. It connected the castle to the ground, its faintly golden surface illuminated by floating orbs of light.

“The sky bridge leads to the city,” he said, his tone clipped. “Next time, might I suggest you take it instead of trying to fall to your death? I cannot always come to your rescue.”

There was no kindness in his words, only a harsh reprimand that made Freya’s cheeks burn. His claws, which had grown slightly as he flew, dug gently into her skin as he adjusted his grip. She winced, and his lips twitched in what might have been satisfaction.

“Even if you reach the city,” he continued, his voice sharper now, “you still can’t get home. There’s no route to the human world except through a portal, and you have no access to it.”

Freya’s heart sank. So that was it, then. Even if she managed to escape the castle, she was still trapped.

Rion’s descent was swift and steady, his powerful wings slicing through the air with ease. Within moments, they were back at the castle, landing on one of its many balconies. Freya barely had time to take in the intricately carved stone railing and the sweeping view of the clouds before Rion marched her back inside.

This time, he didn’t let her walk. He carried her through the hallways with ease, his grip unyielding. Freya’s embarrassment turned to humiliation as maids and guards watched them pass, their gazes a mix of curiosity and fear.

When they reached her room, Rion threw the door open and strode inside. Without restraint, he tossed her onto the bed.

Freya yelped as she landed, the soft mattress doing little to cushion her shock. She scrambled to sit up, her heart racing as Rion loomed over her.

“And now,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous, “you will face the consequences of your actions.”

Freya shrank back, her breath coming in short gasps. “I didn’t mean—” she began, but he cut her off.

“Don’t.” His voice was sharp, almost a snarl. “You could have died.”

The weight of his words settled over her like a stone. For a moment, she saw something in his eyes—something darker, more vulnerable, as though the thought of her death had shaken him. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by cold, unrelenting anger.

His black eyes burned with anger, his wings flaring slightly as though to emphasize his fury.