This is the origin story of Vallen, Prince of Vesper Court—how he becomes the legendary Prince of Shadows across Terros and the mysterious Crow in spy networks. The kings fear the Crow. The rest fear the Prince of Shadows. Prince Vallen was twelve when his father executed his mother—her blood seeping through the cracks of a wooden scaffold while he watched, frozen. That night, he inherited her rebellion and spy network. Then he created the Crimson Crow. For two years, he's fought his father's tyranny while searching for the prophecy twins who might be the realm's only hope. Then whispers reach him of a seven-year-old girl who survived a village slaughter—a girl TWO kings want dead. Raven has violet eyes that glow with impossible power. An amethyst dragon hatches for her—the first in two thousand years. And the prophecy Vallen has been hunting? It might be staring up at him with ancient eyes in a child's face. For three years, he trains her. Protects her. Builds something that feels like family. But as enemies close in, Vallen faces an impossible choice—one that will cost him everything. Some bonds are forged in shadow. And some sacrifices can only be made alone.