Novels by Sophi Liddell

“What the hell are you thinking, Everleigh!?” Auden snarls, but behind the anger that darkens his face is just…complete devastation. Betrayal. Sadness in every line of every feature.My stomach sinks with guilt – because he loves them, I know he loves them -But I rally, knowing that I’m right – that I’m out of options. And, as it so often does, my temper leads my response. “I’m getting the fuck out of here, Auden!” I shout, casting a hand toward the door. “Or at least I was until you fucked everything up!”“You were going to run!? Again!?”“Yes!” I shout, bursting into hysterical laughter as I drop my hand, which smacks listlessly to my thigh. It’s hopeless now. Fucking hopeless. “Of course I’m running! Of course I am! Why did you think that I wouldn’t!?&rdquo

I turn off all the taps and then rush out of the bathroom and across the room, yanking open the door to the children’s suite, praying that Auden isn’t here – that he’s busy rallying his troops to war –I’m holding my breath as I storm into the children’s room, my eyes immediately moving to the young nurse helping divest Vivi of her jewels. Relief rushes through my chest as Coco lets out a panicked squawk. Niall rushes for me, clearly upset, his arms wrapping right around my leg.“Get out of here,” I snap at the nurse.She stands straight and stares at me, eyes wide.“Go!” I shout, pointing at the door. “Right now! Go!”She drops the jewels on Vivi’s bed and does as I say, hurrying out of the room. I wait for the outer door to shut before I turn to my kids.“Mama?” Niall asks, looking up at me, his voice all creaky. “What&rs

“Where, wife, do you get the gall to apologize for me, for my decisions!?” Mahl snarls, his face inches from mine, his furious breath hot on my cheeks. My heart pounds with what are surely its final beats –I have moments left to live, I’m sure of it -“No!” I sputter out, trying to shake my head, even as his grip on my hair causes pain to radiate through the back of my head. “I misspoke! You misunderstand!”He pauses, barely.“I – it was pity!” I manage, still gasping against the pain, trying again to find my balance with my toes the only parts of me truly on the floor. “Not apology – I didn’t know what to say! I don’t – I don’t know how to do this! I –“His fingers loosen and I find my feet.The sound of my panting fills the hallway. “Again,” Mahl snarls,

“You dare,” Mahl growls, his eyes fastened on the chubby little ambassador, who looks like he’s quite literally shaking in his boots. “To again raise the subject of my granddaughter’s pet?”From the corner of my eye, I see Vivianna sit up straighter in her seat, sensing that Mahl is talking about her, quite pleased – as she always is - to be the center of attention. Niall keeps reading. Auden sits very still.My back molars press together in frustration as I consider, not for the first time, that this is less about paternal affection for granddaughter and more about Mahl disliking the fact that this man has the gall to question his previous decree.The ambassador lifts his chin, determined. “The Firebird is a national honor, your Highness – I don’t know how it appeared in your lands after hundreds of years of absence but it belongs in Venda. It is our heritage embodied, our most important –““Vivianna!” Ma

Margot settles in on the lounge as I move to the bell pull by the side of my bed, giving it two tugs that I know will send Tara up with some coffee. Then I move to her side. “So,” I say, leaning close, glancing just once at the door to the children’s room. “How did it…go?”“Oh, it went fine!” Margot says, laughing lightly and stretching her arms up above her head. “It always does. Honestly, Everleigh, there’s no need for concern. You weren’t awake and upset all night, were you?”I pause for a moment, kind of shocked now that she suggests it. But I shake my head. “No,” I whisper. “I kind of…slept beautifully.”Margot grins at me and glances over at my bedside. “Two cakes, Everleigh!” she says, laughing a little and reaching out to lightly smack my knee. “Be careful not to overdose.”My eyes go wide.She grins. “Just kidding, that’s not possible. Don’t worry so much. Did you have sweet dreams too?”I blush and she laughs, but I shake it off, knowing she doesn’t have the true details unle

I groan, turning over to bury my face in my pillow when I wake up for the second time, the sun just starting to peek through my windows. Because even when I fell back asleep, all my mind did was go over that dream again and again – the feel of Auden’s mouth on mine, his hand slipping down my back, the way he pulled me tight against his chest –I shake my head, my face slipping against the soft fabric of my pillowcase, not knowing…how the hell I’m supposed to deal with this insane crush that I have on my baby daddy. The son of my forced fiancé. The man who sleeps two doors away from me and who is…so utterly off limits.I sigh, pushing myself up, pushing my hair back from my face, scowling. “Don’t be so weak, Everleigh,” I murmur, getting out of bed and storming off to the bathroom. There is just…way too much at stake to even dream about such things.