The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 268: Lady Raven

Chapter 268: Lady Raven

Her reply was something Rav didn’t expect. It shook him more that she gave him a soft smile, taking no offense at his actions. He had thought she would perhaps be saddened or questioning.

Rav blinked, observing her closely to ensure it was the same Isadora he knew. He wanted her to question him. Because only then would he know he was in her heart.

"What about Kraven?" Logi asked, breaking their long-time stare.

"He’s asleep."

Isadora just figured out he hasn’t had a wink of sleep in moons.

"How is Cai?"

"Resting. How are you?" Logi asked.

"Better, thanks to the Witch treatment. How long have I been asleep?"

"You have been asleep for a moon and more, did Kraven not tell you?"

Isadora blushed deeply, pulling some strands of her hair behind her ear. She was so busy riding him to get him exhausted that she forgot to ask such an important question.

"You’re mated?"

Rav’s question forced Isadora’s gaze back to him. His scarlet eyes were heavily pinned on her hand, and she rubbed against it with the other by instinct.

Rav knew runes, does it mean he could read them?

"Yes," Isadora replied.

She noticed he swallowed thickly, eyes still locked on the tattoo. She tried to discern his expression but couldn’t.

Suddenly, a smile forced its way on his lips. "Congratulations, I’m happy for both of you."

"Thank you, Rav. It makes me happy hearing that from you."

"I never thought that—" He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "Kraven would never accept the mate bond."

"Well, it took some persuasion, right, Isadora?" Logi amused.

Isadora’s cheeks were hurting now from blushing too hard.

Rav cleared his throat to clear the air, but it did nothing but make it worse.

Logi smirked in satisfaction, giving Rav a side eye.

"We need to have a meeting."

Isadora’s sudden words grasped their attention.

"Meeting?" Logi rested his arm on the tree bark. "Hmm, you mean like the ruling council?"

"Yes?"

"I’m afraid this isn’t so much of a ruling council now. We’re weakened."

"You’re right, Logi," Isadora replied, "But after such loss, I think it’s best to know what we have left. I’m told the survivors of the Raven Court are safe?"

"Yes, all thanks to you. Do you know what they call you? They keep praising your name to the gods. Light bringer."

"L-Light bringer?"

"You’ve been asleep for a long time, Isadora." Rav cut in. "So much has happened. Thanks to the help of the Witch, a few of us are here, and thanks to Logi, the survivors are in safe locations. Rumors spread about the Raven Court proving its existence and our purpose."

"Why do I get the feeling there’s more?" Isadora asked, already growing nervous, but she didn’t let it show.

"The Realm now knows Kraven’s alive. The Court has put up a manhunt for him, and the woman by his side, called the Light Bringer. Every Riddari on the continent will be after him, it’s that serious."

"Of course they would, they want every chance to end him. They failed in their attempts to kill the ravenites."

"This is bigger than us now," Logi said. "And Kraven? He hasn’t been active, no orders, nothing. What happened to the court affected him more than any of us."

Isadora’s eyes were saddened because she knew all that. Kraven was troubled, and she couldn’t forget the look on his face when he saw everything in flames.

It was deja vu. His past came back to haunt him, and even if he didn’t admit it, she knew.

"I know, which is why this is the moment he needs us more than ever. We cannot sit still anymore." Her look turned lethal. "It’s time for the Five Courts to meet their end."

Logi smirked, loving where this was going. "What are you suggesting, Lady Raven?"

"The survivors will answer when called, right?"

"Yes, without question. They await the call of their Lord and Lady even now," Rav replied, his eyes scrutinizing Isadora, and the more deeply enticed he was.

"Good. Now, what I need to know is the ruling court. You both survived. What about Ekko and Nyssa?"

"Ekko is nonexistent as usual. He’s somewhere around here creeping about."

"I’m not a creep," A voice came from the tree they were under.

They looked up simultaneously and found Ekko there.

"Seven gods! How long have you been there?" Rav questioned.

"Long enough," he replied, eyes lingering on Isadora.

"It’s good to see you’re alright, Ekko," Isadora said with a smile.

He suddenly reappeared in front of her and gave a low bow. "Thanks to you, Lady Raven."

"What about Nyssa?"

"I think we should tell her, after all, it’s what both of you were discussing," Ekko said.

Isadora narrowed her eyes and looked over to Rav and Logi.

Rav was the first to speak. "Before the destruction of the court, Nyssa was suspected of being involved with the Stingers."

Isadora’s look darkened, catching them off guard. She didn’t say a word but just remained still.

Rav wavered but continued nonetheless. "She was Dain’s partner too and he was the spy."

"The one responsible for meddling with Logi’s tunnel?"

"Yes."

"Where is he now?"

"Dead."

"Dead?"

"Nyssa killed him. She claimed she did it to free herself of him. He’d been deceiving her and used her to gain entry to the secret tunnels the Riddari used to attack. He was also responsible for the Stingers."

’He,’ Isadora thought, recalling when the Stingers mentioned him. They were talking about Dain and how it was their mission to ruin her and let her go. It was Dain’s sick plan all along.

"Raviel, I know you’re slow-witted, and Ekko was probably the one who brought out this evidence," Logi said.

"And I wasn’t taking the credit," Rav replied irritably.

"You did good, but how can you be so stupid?"

"What did you say?" Rav asked with a ferocious glare.

"Nyssa’s a Whisperer, that is her clan legacy. She can use words against you as simply as telling a truthful lie. Anyone would call that a manipulator, but we both know she’s nothing like that, but better."

"Have you forgotten Nyssa made a vow not to use that ability on any of us? Besides, Logi, have you also forgotten the Riddari is responsible for killing her family? Did you think she would side with him?"

There was a long silence until Logi spoke. "No, I don’t think she would. But she found out after the destruction of the Raven Court. She has been in cahoots with him ever since, which means she is involved." He faced Isadora. "This is your call. What do you decide, Lady Raven?"

Isadora tensed. Logi was giving her the floor, which was expected. He gave that push, and she answered.

"You have known Nyssa longer than I did. It’s not my place to call her out when I know nothing about her—" Isadora halted. "But I know deep her mind goes."

Logi nodded and faced Rav. "And you, Raviel? What do you think?"

"I should ask you that."

Logi huffed. "You’re the one who fell for her tricks, so I can guess where you stand."

Rav’s teeth clenched. He only did because he understood her pain, and he didn’t want to believe she would go that far.

"Nyssara’s obsessed with Lord Raven, that is the truth we all know, and she was never onboard with the idea that Lady Raven is his mate."

"I don’t want to call her out; she may be tricky, but she has fought by our side for as long as I can remember," Logi said. "But she’s involved. These are dark times, I tell you. Do we really want someone like her standing by our side?"

Isadora could sense the pressure. A decision must be made, and they all looked at her for it.

If Kraven were in her shoes, what would he do? She mentally huffed at that question. Kraven will take her head without hesitating.

And then an idea clicked in. "Let her be."

They faced her instantly.

"I’m sorry, what?" Logi blinked.

"Are you sure?" Rav questioned.

"I’d advise curing the disease before it spreads," Ekko said.

"I want to take the page out of your book, Logi."

Logi narrowed his eyes, pointing to himself. "I admire your strength, Isadora, but my brain is not something you can wield."

"Cocky bastard," Rav murmured under his breath.

"In spite of all this, we don’t know the truth," Isadora explained. "Yes she’s tricky and cunning as the bitch she is but did she do it? If you ask me, I say she’s capable."

The things she had done in the past played in Isadora’s head. However, she held no grudge against Nyssa, just the thought of her being an enemy made her chest burn.

"I don’t like the thought of cutting her down while she pleads mercy like a saint. If she’s truly involved and proclaimed an enemy, then I want her to pay in a fitting way, deserving of a traitor."