Cassandra's POV
He's been poisoned.
The messenger's words echoed in my head as I ran through the palace corridors. My nightgown tangled around my legs. I didn't care.
Marcus. Someone had poisoned Marcus.
Guards blocked the dungeon entrance.
Let me through! I demanded.
No visitors allowed, one said.
That's my brother!
Queen's orders. No one sees the prisoner.
I wanted to scream. To fight. But a physician emerged from the dungeon, wiping his hands.
How is he? I grabbed his arm desperately.
The physician looked uncomfortable. The young lord will live. We caught it early. But my lady, this wasn't an accident. Someone deliberately poisoned his evening meal.
My blood ran cold. Who?
We don't know. The kitchen staff is being questioned. He paused. But my lady, there's something else. The poison used, it's rare. Expensive. Only someone with access to the royal pharmacy could obtain it.
Someone in the palace. Someone close to the Queen.
Can I see him?
I'm sorry. The Queen Regent has ordered
I don't care what she ordered! That's my brother!
And he'll stay alive only if you cooperate. A new voice cut through the argument.
I spun to find Lord Adrian Ravenshade standing behind me.
Even at midnight, he looked perfectly composed. But his eyes were sharp, alert. Dangerous.
You, I breathed. Did you do this?
If I wanted your brother dead, he'd be dead. Adrian's voice was cold. Poison is a coward's weapon. I don't hide behind tricks.
Then who
Someone who wants to remind you what happens when you disobey. He looked at the guards. Leave us.
My lord, the Queen said
I outrank the Queen's guards. Leave. Now.
They hesitated but obeyed.
When we were alone, Adrian stepped closer. Your brother will recover. I made sure the antidote reached him in time.
You?
I have people watching the dungeons. When the poisoning was reported, I acted immediately. His gray eyes held mine. Someone is trying to control you, Cassandra. And they'll keep hurting Marcus until you're completely broken.
The truth of it hit me like a blow. This was a message. Behave, or next time we won't save him.
Why do you care? I whispered.
Because like I told you, I'm not the enemy you think I am.
I wanted to believe him. But trust was a luxury I couldn't afford.
The wedding is in four days, Adrian continued. Until then, someone will try to break you. Hurt you. Make you desperate enough to do something stupid. He paused. Don't give them that satisfaction.
Is that an order?
It's advice. From someone who's survived this court longer than you.
Before I could respond, he walked away, leaving me alone in the corridor.
Four days passed in a blur.
I wasn't allowed to see Marcus. Wasn't told if he was truly recovering or dying. The uncertainty ate at me like acid.
The seamstress finished my dress. When I tried it on, I barely recognized myself. The silver fabric gleamed like moonlight. The ice-blue accents made my eyes look almost ethereal. High-necked and long-sleeved, it covered everything—but somehow made me look powerful instead of modest.
Like armor made of silk.
Perfect, I whispered.
Helena visited twice more, chattering about the wedding. Each time, I smiled and agreed with everything she said. Each time, I watched her eyes for that flash of satisfaction.
Trust nobody.
The night before the wedding, I couldn't sleep. I paced my chambers, my father's journal clutched in my hands.
Find A.R. Together, you might
Might what? Save the kingdom? Expose the Spider? Survive?
A soft knock made me freeze.
I opened the door to find a hooded figure. Before I could scream, she pulled back her hood.
An older woman I didn't recognize. Lady Silvercrest, I served your father. He told me if anything happened to him, I should find you.
My heart pounded. Who are you?
That doesn't matter. But this does. She pressed a small key into my palm. Your father left something hidden. Something he wanted you to have. This key opens a lockbox in the royal library, hidden behind the fourth bookshelf on the east wall. Go there after the wedding. When everyone's distracted.
What's in the box?
The truth. She pulled her hood up again. And Lady Cassandra? Don't trust the Queen. Don't trust the Southern lords. But Lord Ravenshade... She paused. Your father trusted him. Perhaps you should too.
She disappeared before I could ask more questions.
I stared at the key, mind racing.
Wedding day arrived too fast.
Servants helped me into the silver dress. Braided my dark hair into an elaborate crown. Painted my lips the color of ice.
I looked in the mirror and saw a stranger. Cold. Beautiful. Untouchable.
Good.
Let them think I was broken. Let them think I'd given up.
But inside, I was planning. Calculating. Surviving.
Guards escorted me through the palace corridors toward the throne room. My hands shook. I clenched them into fists.
Then I saw him.
Lord Adrian Ravenshade stood at the end of the corridor, waiting.
He wore black and crimson, Southern colors. His dark hair was swept back. His gray eyes found mine across the distance.
For one moment, the world narrowed to just us.
He was tall. Devastatingly handsome. And about to become my husband.
The man who'd testified against my father. The man my father had trusted. The man I couldn't figure out.
Lady Silvercrest, he said formally as I approached.
Lord Ravenshade. My voice came out frost-cold.
We should talk before the ceremony. There are things you need to
We have nothing to discuss. I cut him off. You killed my father with your lies.
His jaw tightened. I testified to what I believed was evidence
Save it for people who care.
I walked past him. But I felt his eyes on my back. Burning. Intense.
Something unreadable flickered in their depths. Guilt? Regret? Or was he just a skilled actor?
The throne room doors opened.
Hundreds of nobles filled the space. Northern faction on the left, my people, watching with sympathy and anger. Southern faction on the right, his people, watching with satisfaction and triumph.
The Queen Regent sat on the throne, smiling like a cat with cream.
I walked down the aisle alone. No father to give me away. No mother to cry happy tears.
Just me. Walking toward my enemy.
Adrian waited at the altar. The priest stood ready.
When I reached him, Adrian extended his hand.
I looked at it for a long moment. Saw the calluses on his fingers. Signs of a man who trained with swords, not just politics.
My hand shook with rage as I placed it in his.
His was steady. Warm. Strong.
The priest began speaking.
I barely heard the words. My mind spun with questions. With my father's journal. With poison and spies and mysterious keys.
Do you, Cassandra Silvercrest, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?
Every eye in the room watched me. Waiting to see if I'd refuse. If I'd damn my brother.
I looked at Adrian. Really looked.
His gray eyes met mine. And for just a second, I saw something in them. Something that looked almost like... pleading?
No. I was imagining things.
I do, I said. The words tasted like ash.
Do you, Adrian Ravenshade, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?
I do. His voice was quiet but firm. He never looked away from me.
He slid the ring onto my finger. White gold with storm-gray diamonds. Beautiful. Elegant.
Exactly what I would have chosen if this marriage were real.
How did he know my taste?
You may kiss the bride, the priest announced.
Adrian leaned in slowly. Giving me time to pull away.
I turned my face at the last second. His lips brushed my cheek instead of my mouth.
The crowd murmured. Disapproving. Shocked.
I didn't care.
The priest declared us married. Applause filled the throne room—mostly from the Southern faction.
We were bound now. For life.
I was Duchess Ravenshade. Wife to my father's killer.
At the wedding feast, I sat beside Adrian in silence. Nobles gave speeches about unity and peace. His uncle Victor talked about Southern victory.
Under the table, my hands clenched so hard my nails drew blood.
Adrian noticed. He shifted slightly, blocking the view from others.
You're hurting yourself, he murmured.
I'm fine.
You're not. His voice dropped lower. Tonight, when we're alone, we need to talk. Really talk. There are things
My lady! A servant rushed up, face pale. Urgent message from the dungeons!
My heart stopped. Marcus?
He's asking for you. Says it's life or death. Says someone's coming to kill him tonight.
I shot to my feet. I need to
Adrian grabbed my wrist. It's a trap.
That's my brother
And someone wants you running off alone so they can
Let go of me! I yanked free.
Cassandra, listen
But I was already running.
Behind me, I heard Adrian curse. Then footsteps as he followed.
I ran through corridors, down stairs, toward the dungeons. The servant led the way.
We reached the dungeon entrance. The door stood open. Strange.
Guards should have been here.
Marcus! I called, running inside.
The cell was empty.
I spun around. Where is he? Where's my
Pain exploded in the back of my head.
The world tilted. I fell.
The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Adrian bursting through the door, sword drawn, shouting my name.
Then nothing.