#Chapter 48: The Future Queen

Raven The moment I dismounted and unsaddled my horse, I headed straight for Neil’s quarters. I needed to talk to him, tell him what I had just found out. Stage 4 liver cancer. My father was going to die. Yeah, well, not if I could help it. I strode through the castle doors, my leather boots echoing against the stone floors as I headed straight toward Neil’s rooms. My jaw was set into a hard line, my hands clenched into tight fists at my sides. The plan was simple enough: convince him to take me back, just for a short while. I would heal my dad (assuming I could), return, and then throw myself even harder into my training. I wouldn’t break our blood oath, and I would make sure Neil still had every chance to win the succession battle. Surely he would understand. He had to. But when I reached the corridor leading to the council chamber, I found the door closed and two guards stationed outside. They told me that Neil was inside, and that he wouldn