A knock interrupted them, and Alia entered, her expression grim. “I hope I’m not disturbing, but you both need to see this.”
She handed them a parchment, sealed with the sigil of the Northern Crown — the Iron Wolf.
Heiko broke the seal, scanning the words quickly, his expression turning to stone.
River’s heart pounded. “What is it?”
He looked up, his eyes hard.
“It’s from Queen Victoria. She’s leaving the capital today… but she requests that you visit the Northern Court — as her guest of honor.”
River’s blood ran cold. “What?”
Alia’s voice was low. “It seems, my queen, that your aunt no longer wishes to remain in the shadows.”
River exchanged a glance with Heiko — a look that held both defiance and dread.
--
Alia sat across from River, eyes sharp and attentive, waiting.
River to
