The scent of lemon polish lingered in the air. It had been hours since I’d ordered the staff to begin their task, and they still moved like terrified ants around the house, scrubbing, fluffing, and perfecting every inch of my home. My home. Our home.

The bedroom had been stripped and redone twice already. The sheets, now black silk, were smooth and cool to the touch. The curtains were replaced with something softer, something darker—velvet, maybe. I didn’t care. I just wanted everything to be perfect.

No… immaculate.

Not a single flaw.

Because I was bringing her here.

My queen.

Raven.

My lips curled into a dark grin at the...