“What?” Roger asks, going suddenly rigid and raising his head, his alpha instincts probably anticipating an attack of some kind – “No,” I say, gaping up at the sky. “Roger, look –“ And he turns to follow my gaze, his own mouth falling open as he sees – What looks like a thousand shooting stars
“Ohhh, I like this new wording,” he says, sitting up a little and grinning down at me. “I can get you one for each day of the week –“ I’m laughing harder now, shaking my head at him. “Only if you wear a matching one,” I reply, “pink, ‘Property of Cora,’ emblazoned on the front and the back.” “It
Cora Matthew? Roger tries, passing the name down the line to the baby and I grip his hand, and we both wait… But nothing. “The baby doesn’t like the name Matthew,” I whisper, laughing a little. “Well, it was just a starter,” Roger murmurs, grinning at me again. “You try one.” “All right,”
“That’s sweet, baby,” I sigh, but then I put a hand on my stomach. “But, considering that this little guy is coming along? We’re going to want more space.” “True,” Roger says, his eyebrows raising. “And considering what the goddess said that night on the boat?...” I break into a grin. “You’re th
Ella I shriek when I hear the tap on the door, jumping up from the bed and dashing towards it, so excited to see my sister that I can’t even think about moving slowly. Behind me, I hear Sinclair stand up and give a little growl. Without even looking, I know he’s standing with his arms across hi
She does, then. Well, I can tell that she skips over some details that are more personal – just between her and Roger – but my eyes predictably well up as soon as she starts telling me about how they went onto the beach, and the promises they made to each other, and the meteor shower. “Oh geeze, E
Ella “So you two,” Cora says, flicking her gaze between Roger and Sinclair, “you’re all right now? After fifteen minutes, it’s all cleared up?” Sinclair shrugs. “We kept it pretty cut and dry. He’s on probation.” “No, I’m not,” Roger murmurs, dismissive, shaking his head to Cora. “He
And, if at all possible, I love him even more than I ever have. Sinclair made his formal claim for the throne a few days ago, and no one contested it. Now all that’s left is for the governors to ratify the claim, and the packs to demonstrate their support by paying fealty at the coronation. It’s
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