Lilac’s P.O.V. The path was still visible inside the forest, though the ground was no longer level. Rocks jutted out left and right, some surrounded by blankets of thick moss. Our group slowed as an all-encompassing silence took over the forest. Birds ceased their chirping, scattering from the tre
Left and right rogues appeared from between the trees, trying to knock me off the path. Some I stopped to take down, while others I left badly wounded. I spared a glance behind me and nearly sagged with relief. The contestants had followed. Close behind was what had to be over one hundred rogues, al
I landed on the grass, my head spinning wildly. The threads were cool between my fingers, but it wasn’t dew that moistened the grass. It was fresh blood. My body screamed in agony as I tried to get up. The ground tipped sideways, my vision blurring even further. Screams melted into one, and I swor
Nox’s P.O.V. I made it halfway across the battlefield, so close that I could see wisps of Lilac’s dark hair in between the halo of rogues that surrounded her, when I felt it. A force more agonizing than that of steel carved open my chest, slashing through muscle and bone. I looked down and saw no
Lilac turned towards them as though she were debating on following with her undead army. There was no way I could let her go. Her pain was overwhelming her. She needed someone to pull her back before she drowned in it, before she dragged others into its depths. I reached down the bond, a quiet sob
Betrayal bubbled beneath my skin. I shoved my anger to the side. “Thank you for letting me know.” “Anytime.” He stepped in front of Lilac, preventing her from walking any further. I stiffened, not knowing how she’d react when he held up his hands in a placating gesture. “I can’t let you come any
Lilac’s P.O.V. “You are so special, sweet girl. So very special.” Dad said with that patient smile of his. I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him or the poor creature I cradled in my hands. He had no choice but to love me. That’s why he was saying that. Anyone else would think I was a monst
At first, I thought that Nox didn’t deserve me, but now I wondered if it were the opposite. He’d taken care of everything these past few days, shouldered the loss of all those who had died in battle. Not only that, but he had Will clean out my father’s cabin. Everything he owned was now in a storage