Valtira.
She was still standing there.
Even after I had yelled, even after I had practically begged her to leave.
Even after I had denied, again and again, that Raven wasn’t Zarek’s daughter.
Goddess help me, but this was a truth I would carry to my grave if I had to.
“Fine,” Lyssandra said at last. “I will go. But understand this, I will return. And I will keep returning until you agree.”
She turned toward the door.
“I will keep sending you away, Lyssandra,” I shot back. “You will never find help from me.”
She paused but did not look over her shoulder.
Then she left.
The moment the door shut, the strength drained from my body. My legs trembled violently, and I staggered backward until the chair caught me. I sank into it, my pulse still racing.
“You know this could be very easy
