Novels by Author Blair

JULIETTEI’m unable to sleep throughout the rest of the night, and as soon as I sight the first signs of daybreak, I slip out of the couch, even though the room is still draped in shadows. A quiet chill lingers in the air, and I take a deep breath, steadying myself. Last night was a mistake. I shouldn’t have tried to be civil with Kaelan. His outburst still rings in my ears, sharp and cutting, like a blade pressed against my skin. I don’t understand him, and I don’t think I ever will. But it’s my fault for even trying.Shaking the thoughts away, I get lm my feet, not bothering to check if he’s awake. I have no interest in facing him so soon. Moving quickly, i freshen up, and dress in a simple gown and leave the room.The halls are quiet as I make my way to the dining hall. A few servants bow as I pass, their faces unreadable. When I enter, the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced tea fills the air. A handful of people are already seated, whispering among themselves, but I ignore th

JULIETTEI don’t expect to fall into the water.One moment, I’m teetering on the edge, my breath caught in my throat. The next, the world tilts, and cold water swallows me whole. My scream barely has time to escape before the icy shock steals it away.The darkness beneath the surface is endless, stretching in every direction. My arms flail, panic clawing at my chest. I can’t breathe. I can’t swim. The water presses in, unyielding, and for a terrifying second, I think, this is it.Then I remember Kaelan.I twist in the water, searching, but my movements are frantic, useless. Where is he? I see his form floating near me, unmoving. He isn’t even trying to swim.My heart pounds. Is this still part of his act?I don’t know. And I don’t have time to figure it out because my lungs are burning, my body screaming for air. Just as my strength begins to fade, strong hands grab me, dragging me upwards.The next thing I know, I’m gasping, coughing, sucking in air as hands pull me onto the dock. I

KAELANAs I’m being wheeled through the crowded room toward Juliette. My heart beats slowly as I force my eyes to take her in. I know I should not care, but I cannot help it. Even now, I see that she is beautiful. Her red dress shines under the soft light like a burning ember. In another time, another life, I might have allowed myself to imagine a future with her. But that future never existed. I have an agenda of my own, one built on secrets and lies, and my own loathing for everything she stands for overshadows any chance for love. I do not want her to see the man I really am—a man who uses weakness as a weapon, a pawn in a dangerous game of chess that I’m determined to win.I know what Juliette had probably thought. She must’ve believed she was coming here to rescue a poor, helpless, crippled man. A marriage of pity, as one would say. I agreed to this marriage just to keep up appearances, but it was never part of my original plans. The party rumbles on around me, full of shallow s

JULIETTEI wish the ground would just open up and swallow me whole.Jane and Evan are walking toward us, hand in hand, smiling like they don’t have a care in the world. My heart pounds, my throat tightens, and my fingers curl into fists at my sides. Not only did Jane steal my mate, but now she’s parading him in front of me, as if I need another reminder of what I lost.I force a breath in. Then another.Kaelan is still beside me, his hand resting lightly on mine. I don’t move, but I can feel the weight of his presence, a silent reminder that I am not alone in this moment. But it doesn’t make it easier.“Juliette,” Jane says, her voice coated in false sweetness. “I never got to tell you congratulations on your wedding.”“Thank you,” I manage, keeping my voice steady.“You must be so happy.” Her smile sharpens, and I know she doesn’t believe it. She knows exactly what kind of marriage this is. “I mean, to think—married to Kaelan of all people. I never would have imagined it.”I hold my

JULIETTE Waking up alone, I stare at the ceiling for a few moments, willing myself to move. The silence in the room feels suffocating, pressing against my chest like an invisible weight. But lying here won’t change anything. So, with a deep breath, I push the covers away and step out of bed. The floor is cold beneath my feet as I make my way to the adjoining bathroom. Warm water cascades over my skin, washing away the stiffness from sleep. But no amount of scrubbing can rid me of the emptiness settling in my chest. By the time I step out, I feel more awake, though my mind is still clouded with thoughts I don’t want to acknowledge. I dress quickly, choosing a soft blue gown. Simple, yet elegant. It fits my role well enough. My hands smooth down the fabric as I glance at my reflection in the mirror. My face looks calm, composed—like I have everything under control. Like I belong here. It’s a lie. Swallowing hard, I turn away and make my way downstairs. The dining hall is already s

JULIETTE It’s him. The man I thought I’d never see again. My legs feel like they’re going to give out, and I grip the bouquet tighter to keep myself steady. My mind races, trying to make sense of what I’m seeing. How could this… be? His blue eyes widen slightly, faintly as he stares at me, and I know he recognizes me too. The same shock I’m feeling is mirrored on his face. For a moment, the entire room seems to fade away, the weight of our shared secret pressing down on us. I don’t know how long we stay like that, frozen in each other’s gaze. But eventually, he recovers, his expression smoothing into something unreadable as he’s wheeled closer to the altar. The queen regent smiles warmly as he takes his place beside me, completely unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface. “Shall we begin?” she asks. I can barely nod, my thoughts a chaotic mess. This changes everything. It… complicates everything. But as I glance at him again, the weight in my chest shifts.