Chapter 158: Only The Beginning
The realisation hit Riven like a bucket of cold water early that morning. He had only one day left before he would have to return to Soren.
He lay sprawled lazily across the bed, staring up at the grand ceiling.
Ronan, as if sensing the shift in Riven’s mood, had been watchful all morning. He hadn’t said anything outright, but his actions gave him away, lingering touches, thoughtful glances, a careful kind of gentleness that Ronan reserved only for Riven.
Ronan intended to make the most of the time they had left.
Even though their destination today was none other than Riven’s childhood home, a place steeped in bad memories and painful scars, Ronan wanted to overwrite some of that sadness. He wanted to create something new. Something Riven could carry with him when they were apart again.
And, truthfully, Ronan wasn’t particularly upset about Riven leaving this time. In fact, it came at the perfect moment.
With Riven safely tucked away under Soren’s protection, Ronan could focus on the chaos brewing within the clan. The elders would be dealt with, one by one, their power crushed underfoot like insects. With Riven away from the centre of danger, Ronan’s fangs would be free to bare without restraint.
Their trip to Riven’s father’s estate was set for mid-morning.
The journey itself was relatively short, but it felt longer due to the thick tension in the air. Riven sat beside Ronan in the carriage, arms crossed and expression unimpressed, his tail occasionally flicking with agitation.
Ronan, in contrast, looked relaxed, one arm thrown casually over the backrest behind Riven, a small smirk tugging at his lips whenever Riven huffed irritably.
"Your face will freeze in place you keep pouting continuously like that," Ronan teased, voice low and amused.