I hear Draven’s voice outside the door. I hesitate to open it, and before I can, he walks away. His words about the Umbra linger in my thoughts. Putting a name to the impending doom shook my core. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of my stomach. The thought of the Umbra and what it could mean for our world weighed heavily on me. I knew I had to find out more about it, despite the fear it brought. I made a silent vow to uncover the truth and prepare for whatever was to come. I could feel myself burning up; I had used up my reserve of spirit energy.

I make my way to the bath. I climb in as it fills around me. I feel my eyes getting heavy. I struggle to keep them open, dreading that Draven might break in again. I touch my lips as I am reminded of the passionate kiss. Deep down inside, I hoped it would not be the last. I shriek at my thoughts and dive down into the tub. I emerge and lay my head on the towel that I had left on the edge of the tub. I hum the lullaby that my grandmother used to sing to me. Grandma, Mother, I miss you both. I drift into a deep sleep.

When I open my aching eyes, I see that the moon is high in the sky through the window. How long had I been asleep? I felt no sense of rest as the memory of Draven littered my thoughts and now my dreams. I leave the tub, dry off, and go to bed. I sink in. I feel a harsh light on my face. I open my eyes to see that it is morning. I get out of bed and get ready. Lysander knocks on the door.

"I left a box for you outside the door, Lady Ave," he states in his usual cold voice. I open the door to see a wooden box. I bring it into the room and open it by the dresser. Inside is a long black dress with a note from Draven. "Please wear this and come get more answers. Raven," it reads. I put the dress on. It's an elegant dress, clearly expensive. It has runes on the side zip. As I close the dress, it adjusts to my size, and my long hair starts to shape itself into a style. I look in the mirror, and it’s in one large braid, my makeup naturally done. What an interesting rune, I think to myself. I wonder where he is taking me.

I walk to the main hall where I assume he would be since Lysander did not come to get me for breakfast. As I approach the entrance of the hall, I spot Draven in a black suit, his hair neatly styled back to its original form and length. His skin is glowing. He looks angelic, nothing like the beast who appeared in the forest dripping in blood.

I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with a hint of apprehension as I make my way towards him. His gaze meets mine, and I see a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. I wonder what he has planned for us today. What new mystery will I be left questioning? Despite the lingering doubts and questions in my mind, I can't deny the pull I feel towards him. With a deep breath, I step closer to Draven. He offers me his hand. I take it.

"Where are we going, Draven?"

"The royal palace, Ave. The king needs to know about what I discovered. If I tell them, they won’t believe me or take me seriously as some dirty half-blood. But if I have a witness, they are bound to listen," he utters. I see a look of anger on his face from the corner of my eye. The palace is a place I never wanted to set foot in, for fear of being discovered, but I was not willing to allow my selfishness to be the end of the Fates Forest and the known continents. I follow Draven, who pulls out his sword from its sheath and cuts a portal into the air before us. He takes my hand again and walks me through.

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We end up in a small unfamiliar forest, with horses in the distance.

"Ave," Draven says, letting go of my hand.

"Yes," I answer shallowly.

"Ave," he continues, "please, whatever you do, do not tell them about my secret or my powers."

"I was never going to," I reply quickly. I had no intentions of sharing anything that did not need to be shared. Especially not with the royal family. Draven nods in approval, a look of relief washing over his face. He then turns to me, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you," he says softly, before disappearing into the dense forest. I stand there for a moment, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings and the weight of Draven's secret. I follow behind him.

"Draven," I utter, "they know that you are a half-blood because of your silver hair, right?" He nods. "Then what do they think you are mixed with?" I ask curiously.

"They don’t know," he starts to reply but stops to clearly contemplate his words. "Silver hair is common with wolves, foxes, vampires, and faeries. My mother was a vampire, Ave, but she had black hair using the same incantation you are using to hide your purple hair and eyes. Everyone thinks she had an affair with someone while my father lost his life on the battlefield." We get closer to the horses, and he speeds up, still telling me his story. "The king thinks that I am a year older than what I actually am," he continues. "I am my father's child, born and hidden during the time of the Great Purge." He suddenly turns pale, and I can see the pain on his face.

I interrupt him, "I was born during the Second Great Purge, that's why I was in the forest," I say, having never told anyone that before for fear of losing my life. A part of me needed, no, wanted Draven to trust me. He helps me mount the smaller white horse, and he himself the larger brown one.

"Another thing, Ave, I am Duke Rain," he confesses. I had already decided that nothing more would shock me about Draven, so I simply sigh.

"How do you know that I can ride a horse, Draven?"

"I assumed. Was I wrong, Ave?"

I shake my head. "No." We start to move slowly.

"Ave, call me Raven, please," he says, not making eye contact anymore.

I giggle, thinking that he is joking.

"I'm serious," he says in a stern voice, "you call Lysander, 'Sander,' so why not I 'Raven'?"

"Okay, fine, I will call you Raven, but at the palace, call me Scarlet, please. It’s time that I stopped hiding behind berry bushes and snow."

Raven looks at me, shocked. "Of course," he mutters. "The purple eyes and hair, the spirit energy, you're a Dawn?"

"How did you know that I was a Dawn and not another family?" I question, almost annoyed.

"Simply put," he smirks, "the Dawns are the only family rumoured to have a daughter. The ancient families do not have daughters; it’s another curse, hence the Great Purge to kill all firstborn sons by the kings."

"That stupid prophecy killed my cousin," I add, feeling my cheeks warm up. I wipe my face of the tear that was trailing down it.

"Sorry," Raven says remorsefully. When did I become a crier?