Celestia's POV
The water in the basin is pink with blood from my split knuckles.
I wince as I clean the cuts, watching bruises bloom across my arms like dark flowers. Every inch of my body aches from training. My ribs are purple. My shoulders scream with each movement.
But I'm alive.
And tomorrow, I'll be stronger.
We abandoned the compromised safe house at dawn and traveled to another location—a small cottage deep in the forest that Thorne swears only three people know about. He's downstairs now, checking the perimeter for the hundredth time.
I'm alone in the tiny bedroom, washing off dirt and blood and sweat with cold water from a basin.
A knock sounds at the door.
Come in, I call, thinking it's Thorne.
The door opens.
A woman I've never seen before walks in like she owns the place.
Who— I start to stand, then remember I'm in nothing but a thin shift, dripping wet.
The woman's eyes rake over me with open contempt. She's beautiful in a deadly way—sharp features, dark hair pulled back tight, dressed all in black. At least three knives are visible on her belt.
You're even more pathetic than I imagined, she says.
My face burns. Excuse me?
I'm Raven. She leans against the doorframe, blocking my exit. Thorne's spy. His assassin. His actually useful partner for the past six years.
The name clicks. The woman from the forest. The one who knew about the bounties.
How did you get in here? I demand, grabbing a blanket to cover myself.
Through the window. She smiles coldly. While your dear husband was busy checking the front door for the fifth time. You'd both be dead already if I wanted you that way.
I clutch the blanket tighter, refusing to show fear. What do you want?
To see what all the fuss is about. She circles me slowly, like a predator studying prey. The noble lady who's got the Crown's Executioner all twisted up. The pampered princess playing warrior.
I'm not playing anything.
Aren't you? Her laugh is harsh. I saw you training today. Pathetic. You can barely hold a sword. You move like a drunk elephant. And Thorne's wasting his time trying to turn you into something you'll never be.
Anger flares hot in my chest. You don't know anything about me.
I know you're a liability. She stops in front of me, close enough that I can see the old scars on her hands. I know that before you showed up, Thorne was the most dangerous man in the kingdom. Focused. Lethal. Untouchable.
And now?
Now he's distracted. Protecting you instead of finishing his mission. Making stupid decisions because he's too busy keeping his little noble wife safe. Her eyes are cold. You're going to get him killed.
The words hit like slaps. Because part of me fears she's right.
Or, I say, forcing my voice steady, I'll surprise you.
Raven's eyebrow raises. Surprise me? You?
Yes. I drop the blanket and face her in just my shift, refusing to hide. I may be new to this. I may be bruised and exhausted and terrified. But I'm still standing. Still fighting. And I learn fast.
For a long moment, she just stares at me.
Then she laughs—a real laugh this time, sharp with amusement.
You've got spirit, I'll give you that. Stupid, naive spirit, but spirit nonetheless. She moves to the door. Fine. Tomorrow morning, I'll teach you something actually useful.
What?
Disguise. How to become someone else. How to move through the world without being recognized. Her smile turns sharp. If you can pass my test, maybe you're not completely useless. Maybe you have a chance of surviving this war you've started.
And if I fail?
Then I convince Thorne to lock you back up somewhere safe, where you can't get him killed with your amateur flailing. She opens the door. Dawn. Don't be late. I won't wait.
She's gone before I can respond, disappearing as silently as she arrived.
I sink onto the bed, my hands shaking.
Part of me wants to hate her for the cruel words. But another part knows she's right to be skeptical.
I am a pampered noble. I've had three days of training. Raven's been doing this for six years.
Why should she trust me?
Why should anyone?
I look at my bruised, bloody hands. At the calluses forming on my palms. At the cuts on my knuckles from gripping the practice sword.
These aren't a noble lady's hands anymore.
And I'm not that person anymore either.
Tomorrow, I'll prove it.
I find Thorne in the main room, staring at maps spread across the table. He looks up when I enter.
You met Raven, he says. Not a question.
She broke into my room while I was bathing.
That sounds like her. He doesn't seem surprised. What did she want?
To tell me I'm pathetic and going to get you killed. I move closer to the table. Is she right?
About which part?
Both parts.
Thorne is quiet for a moment, studying the maps. Then he looks at me directly.
You're not pathetic. You're untrained. There's a difference. His voice is firm. And yes, protecting you adds risk to everything I do. But you're also the key to destroying your father's conspiracy. You know the nobles. You understand their world. I can't infiltrate that without you.
So I'm useful?
You're essential. He taps one of the maps—a layout of the royal palace. The Harvest Festival is in three weeks. That's when they'll make their move against the king. We need to be ready. And that means you need to be ready.
Raven said she'd teach me disguise tomorrow.
Good. He nods approvingly. Her methods are harsh, but she's the best. If she's willing to train you, that means she thinks you might actually survive.
She said if I fail her test, she'll convince you to lock me away.
Thorne's smile is slight. She can try. I don't take orders from Raven.
But you trust her.
With my life. His expression grows serious. She saved me five years ago when an assassination went wrong. Pulled me out of a collapsing building while half the city guard chased us. Since then, we've worked together on every major mission.
A spike of something uncomfortable twists in my chest. Jealousy? Of a woman who clearly despises me?
Were you ever... I can't finish the question.
No. Thorne's answer is immediate. Raven and I are partners. Friends. Nothing more. She has her own life, her own... interests.
The way he says it makes me curious, but I don't push.
Get some sleep, he says, returning to his maps. Dawn comes early, and Raven won't go easy on you.
I head back to my room but pause at the doorway. Thorne?
Yes?
Thank you. For trusting me. For training me. For not locking me away like everyone says you should.
He looks at me, and something soft flickers in his dark eyes.
You're my wife, Celestia. Forced or not, I don't abandon my own.
The words warm something deep in my chest.
I'm about to respond when Thorne suddenly goes rigid, his hand moving to his sword.
What—
Shh. He holds up a hand for silence, his eyes fixed on the window.
I freeze, straining to hear.
There—footsteps outside. Multiple people. Moving quietly through the forest.
How many? I whisper.
At least five. His voice is barely audible. Maybe more.
We found this location hours ago. No one should know we're here.
But someone does.
The footsteps grow closer. Surrounding the cottage.
Then they stop.
Silence falls like a held breath.
Thorne moves to the window, peering out into the darkness. I see his jaw clench.
What is it? I ask.
Mercenaries. I recognize their markings. He backs away from the window. At least ten of them. Fully armed.
The bounty hunters?
Yes.
My heart pounds. What do we do?
Before he can answer, a voice calls out from the forest:
Thorne Blackwell! We know you're in there! Come out peacefully and the girl lives! Resist, and we burn you both out!
Thorne's hand tightens on his sword. His eyes meet mine.
Can you fight? he asks.
I think of my three days of brutal training. Of the assassin I killed with a letter opener. Of every bruise and cut and moment of pain.
Yes, I say.
Good. He moves to a chest in the corner and pulls out two real swords—not practice weapons. He hands me one. Because we're about to find out what you've really learned.
The voice outside calls again: You have one minute! Then we're coming in!
Thorne positions himself by the door, sword ready.
I take my place beside him, gripping my weapon with shaking hands.
Remember your training, he says quietly. Stay on your feet. Keep moving. And don't hesitate.
Thorne? My voice cracks. What if I can't—
You can. His certainty is absolute. I've seen it. You're stronger than you know.
The minute is up.
The door explodes inward.
And the mercenaries flood in like a deadly tide.