FINNIAN
My brother’s scheme worked.
Perfectly.
I didn’t return to the palace until the night dragged its claws across the sky. The moon was cold and distant, like she was laughing at me.
I had been sent to deliver that stupid letter and ended up staying at King James’s pack for hours longer than planned. He even offered to let me rest there for the night, but I refused. I was too angry. Too restless.
I just wanted distance from him, from her, from everything.
The ride back was long and heavy, and the air reeked of iron before I even made it through the border.
Two wolves attacked me in the forest, they were rogues, maybe spies. I didn’t care who they were. I ripped them apart before they could even land a second strike. Their blood stained my hands and arms, dripping down to my s
