Chapter 90. Shadows of the Garden

Rowan's POV

Raven glares at me as I spill the contents of the glass onto the floor. Her gaze is sharp and cutting, almost palpable in its intensity, while the soft light of the hall reflects in her eyes, turning them into pools of dark liquid and threatening shadows. Anastasia, for her part, watches me with a look of confusion, her eyebrows raised in surprise as if she is trying to comprehend the subtleties of the game we are all playing.

"Forgive me, Princess Raven. I seem to have become a bit distracted and lost my balance. The beauty and fascination of Anastasia have made me slightly off orbit from the gravity of the earth," I declare, adding a hint of feigned regret to my voice, while a crooked smile plays on my lips. My latest sister-in-law, Raven, responds with a tight-lipped smile, her black eyes narrowed in my direction as if she could see through my facade of indifference.

"Oh, Rowan. It happens. Well, at least we are all fine, and ther