“But I’m older, I’m supposed to be the one looking out for you. Do you have any idea how much I hated myself when we were growing up, how much I still do, because I wasn’t strong enough to take care of you.” I suspect Cora has done a lot of thinking since our fight earlier this year, because rather
Ella Things did not look better in the morning. At least, not for all the people back home in Moon Valley – shifter and human alike. With every day that passes, the worse the crisis grows, with refugees flooding out of the occupied territories and ever-rising death tolls. It feels insane that I’m o
A gasp goes around the pups, and the little one perched on my hip whispers, “She said a bad word!” “You don’t know what you’re talking about – you have no idea what I’ve been through!” Isabel continues, pointing an outraged finger at me. “Happiness is… that’s done for me! I can’t ever have it again
Sinclair “I’m worried about Ella.” I confess, pushing away my dinner. “You still haven’t been able to connect?” Hugo inquires, looking up from his own meal. We’re on the road today, in between territories and enjoying a rare night free of politics – though not free of stress. This is the first tim
“Yes.” Ella answers, sounding only slightly sullen. “Did you have dessert?” I follow up, wishing she would turn on her damn camera so I can see her. “No… though the chef did make an especially delicious looking cake today.” She reveals, obvious longing in her voice. “Okay, then you call down to t
Sinclair When I arrive in the dream forest, I’m alone – as I have been almost every night since I left. However, rather than calling for my mate as I usually do, by picturing her in my mind and willing her to come to me with the sheer force of my longing and determination, I send my power out
A fist slams into my face, “I’m going to make you pay for this, bitch.” My attacker snarls, gesturing to his dead friend. “No - please!” I cry, “it wasn’t supposed to happen this way, you should be dead.” “Well now you get to die.” His face comes into focus over mine, and I can see the pure, sadi
Ella “What do you mean, it was a memory?” Sinclair asks carefully. “I thought the priests came to you in the orphanage? I don’t remember anything about humans attacking you in the woods.” I stare at my lap, cradling my belly and trying to figure out how to explain my deceit. I knew this conversati
He shakes his head at me as tears fill his own eyes and he leans forward, pulling me against him while somehow miraculously managing not to crush our children between us as he holds me tight in his arms. “So, I guess it wouldn’t matter,” he murmurs against my hair as I sniff back my tears and nod.
“Even more than the kids!?” I gasp, my mouth falling open a bit. “I mean, the kids,” he says, shrugging as if they’re not much, which makes me laugh. But then he goes a little rigid as he realizes something, raising his eyes to glare at me a bit. “Wait, are you saying you like the kids more than m
Ella “Nope,” Sinclair says, heaving himself out of bed and grabbing his phone off the bedside table as he does. “I can’t live like this, Ella – I’m calling Roger, I’ve got to know –“ “Dominic!” I say, laughing and grabbing for him, trying to catch the edge of his pajamas and failing because I’v
She laughs and I look first at Sinclair, who shrugs, and then back at my sister. “Come on,” Roger says, nodding at the crowds of people waiting to congratulate us and at the small table of refreshments. “Let’s decide this over some champagne.” Sinclair nods at me and I sigh, moving with my famil
The last image, though, lingers. Ariel, with Rafe and Jesse on either side – as they always are – and her two mates behind her. All standing together on a battlefield with Ariel at the center, magic welling between her hands and passing to her brother, to her cousin. Their faces are serious as t
Cora The images of Ariel’s future come in quick flashes, and somehow I get the impression that the Goddess is eager to share these glimpses of her life. The ones that come first are what I sort of expected, especially after seeing some images of Rafe’s childhood and hearing about the ones that
“We are not,” Cora scoffs, gently taking Ariel into her arms as Sinclair and I laugh. Roger grins, leaning forward to kiss me on the cheek before passing Jesse to me. “You know I’m kidding, right, Ells?” he whispers. I smile at my brother-in-law and gently pat his cheek. “When in doubt, Roger,”
Ella Three weeks later – Ariel was born under a waning quarter moon, not a new moon like her brother and her cousin – I stand anxiously in the woods, my little girl held tight in my arms. “I’m sensing some anxiety,” Cora says, grinning at me with a little too much glee as she comes up to my sid
“Oh my god,” I say, the words spilling out of my mouth. “Oh my god,” I sit up straight, staring at Henry, my eyes flicking to his legs – because honestly, I don’t even notice his chair anymore, or think of him at all as someone whose abilities are hindered. Or of me as someone who is able to do an