EVELYNElsa didn’t answer me at first. Her brown eyes fell to the ground, and she seemed a million miles away, as if lost in memory.“Since you’re not unconscious and you’re actively able to speak to me, you must have heard my real name. Is that what you’re asking about?”I nodded.Elsa paused and after a deep breath, she turned to face me, her expression grave but almost concerned as her eyes trailed over me.“My last name is Crawford,” she confirmed. “My father was one of the nephews of the former Lord Crawford.”Before she continued, she lit a lamplight, and when it lit up, I could see that her pretty face appeared paler than usual.“I shared the same happy life as you once had,” she mentioned. “Wealthy and carefree. Back then I had been so stupid and naive. I had thought my happiness would last forever… until that day came.”Then she fell into silence, her shoulders sinking as she hung her head a little.I fought the urge to throw my arms around my former friend. While it was true
JASMINEAs the sun bore down on my face, I yawned in the royal palace’s expansive garden. My eye struggled a little in the impressively bright light and I winced before blocking the sun out with my hand.My wound had healed quickly with the help of the royal healer, and now that it was better, I was allowed to stroll in the garden to get some fresh air. It was a relief after lying in bed for two days, and after taking a bath, I felt better than I had.Still, I didn’t particularly enjoy strolling in the garden, especially on a chilly morning like this, and I was dressed too thinly for the weather. The cold breeze brushed against my bare shoulders, making me shiver despite the brutal sun. But there was a reason I walked there every so often, a reason I would never admit to anyone in the world: I wanted to meet Flynn.The loyal Beta Flynn had only stayed in my room for less than a day because he was too busy. As soon as he deemed me healed and out of immediate danger, he left for other b
JASMINE“Would you take a walk with me along the river?” Flynn asked softly, offering me a soft but casual expression.I paused but only for a moment before I nodded in response. “Sure. I would love to.”It wasn’t a lie. I had never found the royal palace and the garden so pleasant to stay in. There was so much drama, so much tension within the palace walls, given the Luna Selection and the overbearing eyes of the Alpha King’s stepmother.Anastasia had made the palace feel unsafe and unwelcoming. Had I not been expected to stay here and complete the competition at my sister Addison’s urging, I would have dropped out of the Selection entirely, leaving all of this pageantry and weirdness aside.But something was keeping me here, other than the research about Jack Elrod’s mysterious return, magic, and everything else.I wasn’t ready to admit it, but I couldn’t deny my attraction to Flynn. His coat had a soothing scent, almost herby. It was nice to smell, and I tried not to make my sniffs
JASMINEFlynn looked visibly relieved when I opened my eyes. His gaze softened and his sharp jaw unclenched.“Jasmine,” he sighed. I didn’t know if he could tell I’d allowed him to save me, but to my surprise, the Beta merely pulled me up off the grass and hugged me tightly.His scent enveloped me.“Are you alright?” he asked as he pulled me away, his eyes falling to my side. “How is your wound? Was it ripped open again? Do I need to find a healer? Or get you-”“I’m alright,” I assured him softly, an appreciative and sympathetic smile on my lips as I gazed up at him. My heart raced in my chest and for a moment, everything else faded away. It was only us, locked in this moment together and I didn’t know if there was anywhere else I would have rather been.Flynn Hart was a kind man, kinder than I’d ever thought possible.“Why did you suddenly dive under the water?” he asked me with furrowed brows, his tone laced with concern. “That was really dangerous. The water could have pulled you u
JASMINE“What does final moment mean?” I asked as concern ran through me. My eyebrows came together and I glanced at Flynn as if he already knew the answer. I wasn’t certain of what his sister had told him before I’d arrived, but when his dark, hypnotic eyes met mine, I knew that he knew just as much as I did.His strong arms were crossed against his chest, and when I noted the subtle curve of his muscle, I remembered his touch when he’d rescued me, as well as the hug he’d given when he’d gotten us to land. I felt my cheeks heat a little as I thought about it.I felt a little like a girl with a crush and I forced myself to harden my heart. I wasn’t the kind of woman who swooned- I was a trained assassin. I didn’t melt. I didn’t waver.For so long, I had kept my heart locked away, not giving it any attention or care. It was dangerous back when I was in Ebon Eyes to have a relationship. We were advised against such distractions.Still… the warmth of Flynn Hart’s tall, strong body, the s
EVELYNWhen morning came, I was still staring at the ceiling. My eyes felt sore from staying up, but I couldn’t sleep, no matter how much I wanted to.How could I sleep after what happened last night?I had known long ago that Elsa was holding things back and there was a reason for that, even if she wanted to help me. But I didn’t know what it was. Maybe it touched the core of Jack’s plan or perhaps there was something more to it.I knew Elsa was right. The only way I could figure out my own plan was to pretend to be obedient to Jack. I knew too little about this place and him—his abilities, weaknesses, and intentions. I wasn’t sure who this man I’d once been engaged to truly was and that was a terrifying sentiment.Besides, he now had my family in his hands.A sense of helplessness washed over me. Fate never seemed to tire of playing with me. I had a great many regrets, but there was no point in dwelling on them now. I couldn’t look back. I couldn’t afford to. All I could do was look
EVELYNMy father, Steven Caddel, thin and dressed in simple clothing, was followed by Jack and a man with a deep scar on his face. Father’s silver-streaked head was lowered, looking dejected and worried as he entered.Tears rolled down my cheeks at the sight of him and my breath hitched for a moment. I didn’t make a sound, but Father sensed my presence and lifted his head, his eyes widening.Every fiber of my being wanted to run over and hug him tightly, but my knees felt too weak to move.“Steven?” a voice called out and a small sound of pained shock escaped me.My mother’s voice, delicate and kind, called for Father with confusion.Mother.Father didn’t turn to answer my mother, who from the sounds of it, was still outside the door.“Evelyn,” he uttered my name in disbelief. His voice was rough but the tone was unwavering.Seconds later, I saw Mother, who appeared at the door, covering her mouth and crying. Her hazel eyes, the same shade as mine, were enormous and full of tears. In h
EVELYNThe sound of his fragile, tormented voice shattered my heart into a million pieces and for a moment, all I could do was stand there frozen.My breath caught in my throat and it took all of my being to keep tears from spilling down my face.Aiden… my poor dear Aiden… sounding so broken, as if he was giving up entirely, for reasons that I didn’t yet understand.He looked so… lost. So empty.I squatted down and gently touched his face, forcing a calm expression on mine to keep from upsetting him. “What are you talking about, Aiden? Why would you say something like that?”He remained quiet for a moment and I maintained my touch on his cheek.“Aiden we’ve been the best of friends since childhood,” I remind him. “You know that you can trust me with anything. Whatever it is… please let me in.”When he finally met my eyes, tears rolled down his pale cheeks and he placed his hand over mine.“I made a huge mistake,” he whispered, trembling slightly. “It’s all my fault.”“What’s your faul
EVELYNMrs. Lance had been lying. I didn’t know why. But there were only two reasons people lied—out of fear or as part of a calculated scheme. And I didn’t think Mrs. Lance feared us.I charged up the stairs, two steps at a time. then sprinted down the corridor. Kicking open Emma’s door, I was thankful that my instincts had pushed me to act.A tall, muscular figure, draped in a black cape stood at Emma’s bedside, his hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her cries into low whimpers.Rage ignited in my chest.“Get away from her!” I snarled, extending my claws and lashing out at the figure without hesitation.The man staggered back, startled by my sudden movement. His motion was slow, clumsy, and clearly not skilled in combat. He barely managed to dodge my first strike, and as I slashed again, he toppled to the floor, struggling to rise.“Evelyn!” Emma cried, and I rushed to scoop her into my arms. At that moment, Oakley burst through the doorway, breathless. His confused expression qu
EVELYNI love him too, I thought. I had loved him since our first kiss, since the first flutter of my heart, from the first delicate stir of butterflies in my stomach. I loved him even in the moments I hated it—when I cursed him, when I cursed myself for falling into him, for letting the intoxicating euphoria consume me.I wanted to tell him this, but my teeth clenched too tightly around my lip to speak, and the lump in my throat choked my words.“I’m a jerk, Evelyn,” Cole muttered, rubbing his face with a heavy sigh. His back remained to me, still honoring his promise. “I didn’t understand what love was. I spent my life denying I even needed it. There was a hole inside me, and I tried to fill it with anger, with hatred, with indifference. But you… you were the one who showed me what I was really craving. Even when I was terrified of being controlled by Augus, I found some twisted happiness in knowing how hard you tried to save me.”“And how do you know I wasn’t doing it for some othe
EVELYNWe spent the rest of the morning discussing potential resolutions for Augus’s future attack. Mrs. Lance kindly brought us breakfast: scrambled eggs, slices of ham, and nettle tea for Emma, who had woken briefly but fell back asleep after a few sips.Sylvia joined us shortly after checking on Lord Albert and Elsa. She said that while Lord Albert's condition was stable and he was expected to wake soon, Elsa’s state was far more complicated – and less hopeful. Her nervous system had been severely damaged by long-term manipulation of magic, and her desire to recover was minimal.“The effectiveness of healing magic depends on one’s will to live,” Sylvia had said.I found Oakley sitting beside Elsa’s bed when I went to check on her. She lay motionless, pale and unconscious, visibly more emaciated than I’d seen her last. Bruises marred her face and neck like dark, painful flowers.When Oakley heard me approach, he looked up, his face etched with a rare grave expression. I wondered if
EVELYNWhile Cole and I proceeded toward my family's room, Oakley and Sylvia turned right at the staircase, separating from us to check on Lord Albert and Elsa, who had been placed on the other side of the corridor. Sylvia offered to assist them with her healing abilities, and Oakley expressed a reluctance to get involved in any private conversations.I had expected Aiden to follow us, as he seemed as deeply concerned about my family as I was. But instead, he trailed behind Oakley. When our eyes met for a brief moment, he quickly looked away, lowering his head to avoid my silent question.It was clear he was trying to avoid me, even though I hadn’t directly asked anything. His behavior had been distant ever since he awoke from the enchantment. Silent for most of the time, and when he did speak, it was never to me. I had no idea what was going through his mind, but I didn’t have the strength to press him for answers—not when I was so consumed with the anxiety of seeing my family, and w
EVELYNThe air grew chilly as we ran through the forest in our wolf forms. It might have been the morning dew dampening my fur, or perhaps the panic surging through my veins. I forced myself to focus on the solid earth beneath my paws, trying to push away the creeping dread gnawing at the edges of my mind. If I didn’t, the fear that my little sister might already be in the wizard’s grasp would overwhelm me.We slowed as Aiden sniffed the path, tracking the path to the safehouse where my family was being sheltered. Oakley dipped his wolf head low, allowing Sylvia, who had been riding on his back, to dismount. She clutched her chest and leaned against a nearby trunk, taking a deep breath. Her face was pale from the speed of the ride. I wondered if she had ever ridden a werewolf before, even though she had lived in Hescor for so long. But judging by her retching and the greenish tint to her face, it was clear she wasn’t fond of the experience.Oakley joined Aiden, studying the trail as h
EVELYN“But if you’re wondering why Augus…” Sylvia spoke up again, but she quickly paused, frowning as if considering the words she was about to say. Then, with a deep sigh, she added, “I have no idea why you werewolves seem to carry magical blood or what Augus has discovered about it.”I looked at her, pursing my lips. The unease I felt when Augus called werewolves magical weapons lingered in my chest. I didn’t think he had just meant to sneer and degrade us as mere objects.“He found it behind the Chamber of Secrets,” I said.Sylvia’s frown deepened. “How do you know…”I turned my gaze toward the flickering firelight and explained what had happened earlier—how Augus had disguised himself as Seb and tricked us all, how Leila had brought a book with a ruse that only the King of Tiryn could read. My heart ached dully as I recounted the memory. “I think the ruse confirmed Augus’s theory, and that’s probably why he acted so boldly afterward, to prove his suspicions.”I fell silent for a
EVELYNI gazed beyond the campfire. The sky was still dark, as if every single star in the heavens had been wiped from existence, never to return. As if dawn would never come.“Apparently, not everyone in Tiryn supports their King’s ambitions,” Flynn said, tossing more dry twigs into the flames.After we’d escaped the alleyway, we had reunited with Flynn, who’d discovered the trick Augus had played to distract him. Now, hidden behind the thickets in the forest near the House of Fox—guarded by his troop and without any blue-eyed soldiers lurking to catch us off guard—we could finally rest and contemplate our situation. We perched on a pair of logs in a circle, the campfire lighting our faces.The flickering flames illuminated our eyes as we listened to Flynn’s revelation about what he’d learned. In the firelight, everyone’s faces seemed ghostly.I shifted on my perch, stretching my stiff legs when Cole spoke up.“Where’s the informer?” His hand tightened around mine, and a crease forme
EVELYNPerhaps we should keep an eye on Augus, wait for the right moment to strike—surprise him when he’s unprepared. But we were too stunned to act. Jack’s death seemed to stir something in the air around us. The draft that had once been light in the alleyway grew stronger, though, in that moment, I wondered if it was still just a draft.The sky suddenly shrouded in thick clouds, obscuring the moon entirely. A storm seemed imminent—a storm that could hardly be a natural occurrence. I wasn’t sure if it was relevant, but I recalled the time when King Theodore died, and a tempest raged for days, as if the world itself mourned the loss of a monarch.The stomping of footsteps broke the tension. I turned my gaze toward the soldiers. The puppets began marching toward us, their blank faces and eyes gleaming with a sinister flash.“He’s running,” Oakley shouted, pointing at a flicker of blue light moving swiftly in the opposite direction, away from the approaching swarm of soldiers. “Should w
EVELYN“I’m no gambler,” Cole said sharply.Augus snorted. “I’m afraid that’s a gamble you can never refuse, young King.” He stepped back a few paces, muttering a spell under his breath, and the sapphire dagger rose into the air.My body tensed as I grabbed Stephanie’s arm, bracing for the attack. My nerves were on high alert.But instead of the mindless onslaught I expected, the uncontrolled soldiers closed in around Augus, encircling him like a protective wall.Confusion twisted in my gut, but before I could make sense of it, I felt Stephanie’s body stiffen beside me. She pulled away, shrugging off my hand with startling coldness, and rose to her feet.“Stephanie—” I called out, but my words died in my throat when I saw her eyes. There was nothing left in them. Just emptiness. Just like the soldiers.I remembered Augus’s words.What makes you think I didn’t control one of you to lead you here?The realization hit me like a physical blow. Stephanie... she was under his control. A rus