Chapter 4
When I came to, the sharp scent of burning herbs made my throat sting.
Kieran’s personal healer, an ancient Lycan with pale, moonstone eyes, was rubbing crushed black roots into the veins on my wrist. It should’ve hurt a lot, but I couldn’t feel anything at all. That scared me more than pain would have.
“Her nerves are starting to numb. The wolfsbane has spread into her spinal cord,” the healer said quietly.
Across the room, Kieran’s shadow stood in front of the stained glass window showing the Wolf God. His claws were out, digging into his own arm. Drops of blood hit the floor, which was covered in carved symbols, and each one sizzled on contact. Royal Lycan blood carried strong magic.
“You’ve always known, haven’t you?” His voice was low and rough, barely human. “All this time… you let me think Cassidy was the one who saved me.”
An old journal was lying open between us, its pages marked with dried An old journal was lying open between blood. My handwriting from years ago stared back at us.
“Blood Moon, Sixteenth Winter.
“My father’s poisoned drink sits untouched. Kieran drank from my cup instead. Let
my veins burn if they must. If this counts as treason, then let the gods decide my fate.
“The next dawn.
“He had no idea I’d swapped the drinks. By the time he wakes, they
might’ve already exiled him for an ‘attempted coup.‘ At least he’ll be alive.
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Chapter 4
“Earlier today.
“Cassidy bragged in the bathroom that her so–called “antidote” was just honey water. Kieran still wears the ribbon she gave him that evening. I should’ve said something.
“No. If he’s happy, I shouldn’t ruin it.”
A loud crack, like a tree splitting apart, echoed as Kieran’s bones shifted wildly–his body caught in a chaotic, half–formed shift. Among Lycans, that kind of partial transformation was more than dangerous. It was a breakdown. Bright silver lines tore through his black fur. That was it. The “Shadow of Sorrow,” the legendary transformation I used to hear about from my nurse.
His claws tore through the ledger–like paper. “For all those years… I made you drink wolfsbane–just for her!”
He meant the Bloodbond he once used to take my himself. Just last month, he forced me to do it again, to carry Cassidy’s childhood fever onto pregnancy pain in my dying body.
The unfairness of it burns more than any poison.
Kieran collapsed next to the bed, his half–shifted face pressed against my wounded hand. “The prophets… they said my savior would… I never imagined…”
I remembered the old prophecy. “The one who takes your poison will
exile camp wearing my
wear your crown.” Cassidy had shown up at Lakes
stolen signet ring, claiming she had taken in the poison meant to kill him.
Now his whole body was shaking, the stone floor cracking beneath his claws. He rasped, “Jolene, I…”
“Stop it.” I yanked my hand away. “Your tears are three years too late.
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Chapter 4
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Beyond the walls, the wind rushed through the sacred oak trees, echoing like a wolf’s cry.
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