*Warwick*

The task was simple enough. The raven came just before dawn with a small note tied to its slender leg. The note was sent from Lady Elva, her handwriting slanted and shaky. She had not written the note of her own free will. But this did not bother me.

Lord Vespertine could do what he pleased with his mate.

The note requested that I take the girls as soon as possible, saying that the eldest’s birthday was too close to risk waiting any longer. And ...