“No, Neil,” my brothers cut me off at almost the exact same time. Edrick smirked and continued, “It’s better for you to stay here. We need a guard dog around the castle.”I clenched my teeth, prepared to bite out a retort. But before I could, Caleb said, “Actually, that reminds me… Have you found an
RavenMy heart pounded in my ears as I dropped the bow and ran to Neil. “Why did you do that?!” I practically shouted. “You walked right in front of the dummy!”Neil just shook his head and rose from his crouched position. He looked utterly unfazed despite the fact that an arrow had just grazed his
To my surprise, Neil was silent.He remained silent, even when a sob suddenly wracked my frame.I clamped my hand over my mouth, turning away. Don’t cry, I urged myself desperately. There was no time for tears—and no one would pity me, anyway. Besides, if Neil’s brothers found out about me…Then I’d
RavenHannah gave me a swift shove against my lower back, sending me stumbling forward onto the carpet. I tripped over my own ankles and fell to the floor in a trembling heap.“Who is this?” a male voice barked.My breath caught as I pushed a lock of hair out of my eyes and looked up at the man sitt
The King stared at us both for a moment, as if in shock, and then shook his head and waved his hand.“I haven’t got time for this. Hannah, next time you decide to interrupt my son’s late-night escapades, at least wait until morning to bring the matter to my attention.”With that, the King dismissed
RavenThe tavern sign swung gently in the night breeze. From inside, the sound of music and laughter poured out onto the dark street. A group of drunk patrons stumbled through the door, bumping into each other on their way out.We stood on the path, hoods pulled up to conceal our faces.“We shouldn’
“Going to cry?” Ember chuckled as she placed her hands above mine. “Again?”That was the moment that I’d had enough. I had cried today for good reason—an innocent man had died. I wasn’t about to be cowed for that.So, gritting my teeth, I channeled as much of my wolf’s strength as I could muster int
RavenNeil led me through the narrow streets of the town, our cloaks billowing behind us in the wind. He didn’t tell me where he was taking me, although his hand was oddly warm and reassuring around mine.When we finally made it to our destination, though, I wished I hadn’t followed him.The moment
Ember remained silent, studying me with an amused glint in her eyes. “But at least here,” I muttered, swinging again and managing to force her to step back, “Lycan women are honest about their intentions. You don’t pretend to be best friends while plotting behind someone’s back.” As I took anoth
Raven The morning sun had barely crested over the castle walls when Ember and I made our way to the training yard. I’d hardly slept at all last night, tossing and turning after my little late night run-in with Hannah. Ember was still watching me out of the corners of her eyes, clearly waiting for
Hannah rolled her eyes and stepped back. I didn’t lower my knife. “And that’s exactly why you are weak,” she said. “A tragedy like that would make a strong queen, not weaken her. If you were worthy, you would have used that pain to grow stronger. Instead, all it has done is make you look pathetic.”
Raven For the second time since I had met Hannah, she had a blade pressed to my throat. And if the infuriating curl to her lips was any indication, she was loving this little power imbalance. But I had learned from our last encounter, and I was prepared. “You seem to enjoy holding a knife to my
But as quickly as it had come, it was gone, and his gaze returned to the floor. I quickly realized I had been lingering longer than the other fiancées and everyone’s eyes had turned to me. My face heated, and I quickly scurried away, joining the other two women off to the side. The ceremony ended
Raven The throne room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, despite the fact that Lycans filled every available space. Buttery yellow sunlight spilled through the large stained glass windows, casting patterns of deep reds and golds across the stone floors. I had only been in this room during t
He didn’t reply, but I felt his fingers press a little more firmly against my waist, pulling me just a fraction closer as he led me through another spin. The music shifted, the tempo quickening, and I was glad for it. It let me focus on matching his movements rather than the confusing swirl of emoti
Raven Neil led me toward the dance floor, which had cleared of people during the fight. The music began to play the moment we set foot in the center of the circle, a lively and upbeat tune that thrummed up through the soles of my feet. Someone in the crowd whistled as Neil tugged me closer, and
Ember gestured toward the ring, where Neil and his opponent were still sparring relentlessly. “In Lycan tradition, the ultimate victor of fights like these will choose whoever cheered the loudest to dance with after the fight… and maybe even take home.” Ember’s lip curled a little at that last bit.