Isabel jolted slightly, as if she was so busy trying to cope with his sudden proximity that she wasn’t prepared to hear his deep voice as well. Her bright gaze flitted up to his before retreating again. “Hello.” She answered, turning her back and making herself busy folding laundry. A lock of aubur
3rd Person James froze, staring at Isabel in shock and amazement. “Are you serious?” He inquired, not wanting to get his hopes up in case it was all a jest, or some strange test. Isabel only flushed, starting to backtrack. “I… well, I just thought… I mean–” She stammered, looking anywhere but at
Sensing that no one was in immediate danger, Roger relaxed slightly, taking full advantage of the opportunity to soothe her. “I’ve got you, just take a minute. I’m not going anywhere.” “Liar!” Cora accused breathlessly, pointing a finger at him. “You’re… flying back… to the continent.” “I meant I’
Ella Warm hands trail over my bare skin as I come awake, tracing the curve of my belly, outlining the shape of my breasts. Sinclair’s perusal is slow and steady, not meaning to arouse, but merely explore. My back is flush to his chest, and his broad shoulders offer endless support for my aching spi
“Not really.” I confess. “I’m not sure what to expect. I remember some of the details you shared about your visits, but there were so many. Besides, the delegations are so large I’m going to need a cheat sheet just to keep them all straight.” “Gabriel and his staff are going to be our living cheat
Sinclair The entire capital seems to have turned out to welcome the delegations from around the continent, for beyond the palace gates there is a sea of excited onlookers, clamoring to watch the parade of Alpha’s approach the summit. Gabriel and I lead our party down the palace steps to await them,
“Then let them search, they’ve never found us before.” The Storm Forest leader scoffs. “They’ve never known we existed before.” The King reminds him, a warning note in his voice. At that point, a silken voice pipes up beside me. “Not to mention the damage which would be done to the human communiti
Ella I’m exhausted after the feast, but I know our work isn’t yet complete. Roger hasn’t finished his report about the refugee crisis back home and though I realize the situation is urgent, I’m not eager to discuss it. I feel like my heart and mind are maxed out on thought and emotion, so delving e
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