I had never imagined walking side by side with one of the characters I had written as a villain.

  But then again… I would hold anyone’s hand who offered it.

  I clicked the fairy-like dress. In an instant, the emerald gown clung softly to her form. Sheer sleeves drifted like forest mist, and delicate gold vines intertwined across her chest, a single green jewel shimmering at her heart, as though the night itself had draped her in quiet splendor.

  I had never imagined the tribe of Aver would be the first Mavis I would face.

  The people of Aver surged forward, ready to strike, but the knights of Yilan’s formed a barrier between us.

  I had never expected the King of Yilan to appear, but I had another plan...one that involved Ravyn.

  I asked Haver the Goddess of Nature to visit Ravyn in her sleep. Nothing spoken. No words. Just presence. Let her long for me. Let her find comfort in me. Make me her savior, the one who stands in her dreams.

  “Ravyn,” I whispered softly. I merely looked at her. Without hesitation, she ran toward me.

  The skinny man at my side scowled. I knew that look angry, irritation, perhaps confusion.

  Ah, of course. How could I forget the third male lead?

  The eldest. The one who had been certain he would lead the tribe. The one who revered Lady Philia. The one who despised the Goddess.

  I rested my head gently against Ravyn’s. I had planned this for a long time for her to help me escape this nightmare of a tribe.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “My blessing,” I said softly. “I’ll show you the love string.”

  “Haver, lend Ravyn the view of her fated string.”

  Ravyn was one of my children. One of my children who had suffered a cruel fate.

  “Please… be happy, my child,” I murmured, retreating my head.

  Chev’s eyes followed me, sharp and calculating, confusion flickering as he tried to see how this would serve the throne within his bloodline.

  I held Ravyn and turned her toward the two Aver men I had encountered.

  “Do you see the red string on your finger? That is the string of love.” My gaze shifted to Havi and Willow. “Do you see it?” I smiled faintly.

  “THE STRING ISN'T IN ANY OF THEIR FINGERS!!” I shouted, my eyes meeting Philia’s. I cared for her once… but she had tortured me.

  “The string isn’t pointed at any of them, right?!” I glanced at the tribe leader with a smirk, a quiet declaration of victory.

  Ravyn nodded. That single motion sent the Aver tribe into chaos, their confusion and doubt flaring.

  “Don’t believe that fake!” Havi shouted, drawing his bow.

  “Who knows? You might have schemed this with Yilan’s!” he added. I tilted my head and smirked again.

  An atheist in this generation… would be fun to unravel.

  “Go on. Make her your Tribeca,” I murmured, signaling Chev with a flick of my hand. He followed not out of belief in my divinity but curiosity. Interest. How would I carry out what I promised?

  “Let’s see if you can handle this future,” I snapped, and darkness descended.

  I had been experimenting, trapped as I was, using the system at my disposal.

  I saw Ravyn in a wedding dress of the Aver tribe. Willow and Ravyn both had their hands cut before their first kiss a symbolic marriage. Then chaos struck. Fires swallowed the tribe. Beasts tore through homes. The people of Aver screamed and scattered.

  Chev laughed. Laughed as everything returned to balance.

  “The Goddess wouldn’t let those things happen to us!” Philia shouted, her voice carrying all her authority. I let her finish before speaking.

  “You trapped me and tortured me…” My eyes burned with hatred. “Why would I save you?”

  “YOU’RE A FAKE!” Philia’s glare was sharp enough to pierce steel.

  She was right but that was my leverage. My one-way ticket. My method to survive.

  I looked at her, sorrow coating my expression. This goddess act would be my revenge for everything she and her people had inflicted.

  I turned to leave… but Ravyn’s hand grasped mine.

  “What is a fated love?” she asked, curiosity bright in her eyes.

  “The one that fate always brings to you. You will meet him, and you will love him… in the way fate intends, or in the way I guide.” I held her gaze as she gripped my hand tighter.

  “When you meet him, you will know.” I gently withdrew my hand. I needed her vulnerable. Longing. Hopeful.

  “Please… be happy.” I gave her a sad smile.

  As I moved, the cracks in the civilians’ resolve became apparent. I could not help but grin. Yeah… fight.

  [You’re finally showing your true colors.]

  “When did I ever hide them?” I muttered, keeping my distance yet close enough to see.

  The current Tribeca screamed, held hostage by a man in their ranks.

  “Haver!!” I shouted, pointing at the man. Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around him but sparing his life.

  “Why intrude?” Chev asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

  “Any of them could die… but not her.” The fighting halted. Even in chaos, certain fates must be preserved.

  “Like how Ravyn is fixed to be the ruler, the seventh tribe leader will come from her,” I murmured as I entered the tent that Yilan had set up.