The ballroom was no longer a sanctuary of music and candlelight.
The Blood Moon's glow seemed to deepen, shrouding the room in a soft red as Rowan's voice had severed that illusion the moment he staggered in.
Horror painted across his face.
"She killed her," he'd shouted. "Viranna id dead. Lenore…gods, she's covered in her blood."
The music had died mid-note. Dancers froze mid-spin. The world tilted.
Corvin hadn't realized he'd dropped his wine glass until shards crunched beneath his boot.
He blinked once. Then again. Trying to make sense of the scene unraveling before him. Rowan stood heaving, dramatic in his grief, gesturing toward the entrance to the east wing. Darius was already moving. Severin followed after him in quick strides. But Corvin…Corvin hesitated.
Not because he had doubt.
But because Rowan was untrustworthy.
And yet, what other explanation was there?
Lenore had been missing for far too long. Viranna, The Lady of House Ebonmere, had not once returned since slipping away to fetch something she deemed was of "great importance".
The shadows in Corvin's mind stirred.
Still, he followed his brothers as the crowd parted, whispers rising like embers around them.
~
Lenore couldn't remember standing.
Her legs moved beneath her without much thought, half-tipping over her gown into the hallway. Rowan was taking too long.
The scent of blood clung to her, warm and coppery. Her hands—her hands—
Noticing this in her shock and panic, she scrubbed them on her skirts until the fabric turned a deeper red.
Viranna was dead. Her aunt. Her protector. The woman who smothered her in love and affection to replace the love her parents only shrouded her in when they passed. The woman was supposed to give her the ceremonial Ebonmere dagger tonight. Instead, it had ended up in her back.
And Rowan…gods, Rowan had looked at her like she was a stranger. Like she was something monstrous.
She was shuffling down the corridor. Away from the study, to get help. Away from the stifling silence that had settled over her once-loving aunt's motionless form.
Then she heard it.
Voices Fast. Alarmed.
Coming closer.
Lenore turned the corner quickly to relay the news and receive help.
The royal family. The princes. Advancing with purpose. The crowd behind them murmured and grew restless.
Severin's gaze landed on her first. Searching. Measuring.
She couldn't breathe.
"Lenore," Darius said carefully. "What happened?"
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Shook her head.
"I didn't kill her, b—but Aunt Viranna…"
The words barely left her lips. But she said them.
And somewhere deep down, she wondered if anyone believed them as they all looked back at her, weary.
Corvin stepped forward, his tone calm but edged. "Start from the beginning. Where did you find Lady Viranna?"
Lenore swallowed. Her throat was dry, raw. "I—In her study. She had told me before she left the party that she was going to go fetch something important. But when I arrived was already—already…"
She couldn't finish.
Severin narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't you come for help immediately?"
"I—I panicked. I didn't know what to do. I called out, and then Rowan appeared—"
"She lies."
Rowan's voice rang through the hallway like a blade striking stone. The crowd shifted as he stepped forward, face pale and eyes burning with accusation.
"I found her over the body," he said, voice quivering. "Her hands were covered in blood. She had the dagger. I saw it. I saw her."
Lenore turned to face him, her expression crumbling between disbelief and heartbreak. "You—you know I would never hurt her. Rowan please—"
He shook his head, stepping back, voice loud enough for those around them to hear. "I trusted you. Lady Viranna trusted you. And now she is gone."
Whispers ripple through the onlookers.
Darius's expression went cold.
Severin's jaw tightened.
But Corvin watched Rowan—not Lenore—something in his posture, in the tremor of his voice…
"We must move this to the Moonstone Courtyard," Severin commanded. "This is no place for judgment."
Lenore's breath caught in her throat as guards began to close in.
She wasn't sure what was worse—Rowan's betrayal, or the silence from the royal family, from the princes she had once believed could see the truth in her.