Alexander POVI could feel Ella's wide eyes upon me before I looked, and shame instantly flooded me. I had lost my temper. I had been violent.I never wanted her to see me like that, but it was impossible not to let my frustration show in some way. Still, feeling the tension coming from her as she s
Ella POV“If someone is targeting me to get to you,” I said softly, “then could Michael and Diana be in danger too?”Alexander shrugged half-heartedly. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But it’s probably best if I let them know the situation—just in case.”“They don’t know anything about…” I hesitated,
Ella POVI woke up with my head pressed against Alexander’s chest, his arms wrapped securely around me. The warmth of his embrace should have been comforting, but it did nothing to calm the chaos of my waking.Both our phones were ringing, and someone was pounding on the apartment door.Alexander pr
“Talk to your father,” I pleaded. “Ask him. Ask the servants if anyone new has been frequenting the house, if he’s been meeting with anyone. Someone is swaying his decisions.”Elizabeth hesitated before responding. “Okay. I’ll do what I can.”“Thank you,” I said, hoping she could hear the sincerity
Ella POVIn all the chaos and confusion of the last few days, I had completely forgotten that Alexander and I were supposed to be hosting a party to celebrate the beginning of construction on the solar farm.It was an unnecessary PR move—an opportunity for people to speak with Alexander and be remin
“Can I ask why not?” I asked, causing Alexander to glance at me in surprise.“It’s just that we don’t know who else may run,” the Luna of Pine Forest replied. “At this point, Alexander is unopposed, and while he is, of course, a fantastic option, I’m not willing to make a decision until I know all o
Alexander POVI reached the lobby and was nearly out the door when a familiar voice called my name.I froze, turning in confusion to find Michael rushing toward me.“What are you doing here?” I asked as my younger brother practically barreled into me.I grabbed him by the elbows, scanning his face.
And if she was careless enough to speak openly about it—where a servant could overhear—My head spun, nausea creeping up my throat.Michael stepped toward me, concern etched into his features, but before he could say anything, a knock sounded at the door.It opened without waiting for a response.Au
She lowered her gaze. "I just don’t want my friend to get hurt," she admitted. "I'm trying to figure out who's targeting Ella so I can stop them."Dr. McIntyre scoffed. "By killing them?"Elizabeth met her eyes without flinching."If that's what it takes."There was a long silence as the two women s
Third Person POVElizabeth descended into the basement of her house, a heavy weight pressing against her chest. She had no idea what was going on with her father or why he was acting as he was, but she knew it was dangerous.He didn’t seem to understand how serious the situation was. Someone was sch
Eventually, out of desperation, she had called Diana. Her aunt had agreed to pay for housing on one condition: that she return to the South.Now, here she was, in the capital, feeling like a ghost in a place that no longer belonged to her. Every day, she lived in fear of running into Alexander.And
Ella POV“We could ask Sabrina.”"I can't," Alexander said, his voice barely audible."Okay," I replied easily.He was silent for a long moment before loosening his grip just enough to look at my face. "Okay?""Of course," I said. "I'm not going to pressure you to do something that's painful for you
"Why are you still awake?" I asked."I’m going over a report," she replied, barely glancing up from her laptop."On what?"She turned the screen toward me."Diana’s actions over the past two months," she said.I stared at her, stunned. How the hell did she know something was going on with Diana?"Wh
Alexander POV"There’s one more thing I should tell you… but please, don’t get mad at me."Michael’s voice was tight with unease. He was truly afraid, which only made the fact that he had come to me even more impressive.I understood why he had hesitated. I must have been more obvious than I realize
He had to know that if he exposed my ties to the Roguelands I would do the same to him. Was that the plan? If he was going down anyway, did he intend to take me with him?But he had been released from custody. The king didn’t have anything on him that could stick. It would be self destructive of him
Alexander POVThe headlines the next morning were dominated by Archer’s announcement. Any attention or goodwill we had hoped to gain from the party was completely overshadowed—exactly as he had intended.It was a calculated move, and I couldn’t deny its brilliance.Ella was shaken. Of course, she wa
And if she was careless enough to speak openly about it—where a servant could overhear—My head spun, nausea creeping up my throat.Michael stepped toward me, concern etched into his features, but before he could say anything, a knock sounded at the door.It opened without waiting for a response.Au