I dodged another punch, noting the almost feral look in her eyes. Sweat beaded on her forehead, but not from exertion—it was as if she was burning up from the inside. But I barely had time to notice this, let alone duck before she came at me again, her attacks lacking finesse but strangely packed
Kayla I was still riding the high of the morning’s fight when Nicholas approached me near the training grounds. Most of the spectators had already dispersed, a few lingering behind to chatter excitedly about Nora’s humiliation and my unexpected victory. “Just so you know, we’re expected at a bir
But this felt different. Jade and Emma seemed to genuinely enjoy my company, and I enjoyed theirs. Looking back, the interactions between Vanessa and myself had always felt a little forced, although I didn’t notice it at the time. This didn’t feel like that at all. As Emma stepped back to admire
Kayla Nicholas and I made our way into the banquet hall, pausing briefly in the entryway to take in the space. It was a large but cozy venue, with round tables scattered throughout and a stage at the far end of the room. A band was playing covers of popular songs, and people were dancing and laugh
My smile faltered for a split second before I quickly forced it back into place. “How do you know Nicholas?” I asked lightly, just wanting to steer the conversation away from myself more than anything. “Oh, we had a bit of a fling a while back,” the brunette said breezily, tossing a lock of long,
Kayla I froze, looking at the stunned faces around the table. The cupcake was hovering halfway to my mouth, uneaten. Everyone at the table seemed to be looking at me like I’d just committed a sin for trying to eat my dessert. Most of all, I caught sight of Nicholas out of the corner of my eye. H
“Excuse me,” I muttered, not bothering to look at Nicholas. My chair scraped against the floor as I stood, the sound somehow louder than all the laughter. Nicholas turned, his eyes widening slightly, but I didn’t wait for his or anyone else’s reaction. I just needed to escape. Without another word
Kayla Nicholas’s hand slid to the small of my back as he guided me onto the dance floor. The warmth of his palm against the fabric of my dress sent an unwanted shiver down my spine, and my traitorous heart fluttered in my chest as he pulled me a little closer. I was supposed to be mad at him. Ho
The sensation was indescribable—like finding a piece of myself I hadn’t known was missing, like coming home after a lifetime of wandering.I grinned up at Nicholas, feeling almost impish with the secret I’d kept for so long.His mouth hung open, shock written across his features. “You knew,” he said
Kayla“One more push!” the doctor’s voice barely registered through the haze of pain that had consumed me for the past sixteen hours. “I can see the head, Kayla. One more big push!”Nicholas gripped my hand, his other arm supporting my back as I leaned forward. I was beyond exhaustion, beyond pain,
There was Emma, fierce and loyal despite everything she’d been through, slowly healing from her injuries with her brother’s unwavering support. Marcus, who’d practically raised his sister from childhood and would do anything to protect those he cared about, including us.Noah, with his gentle demean
Kayla“She’s going to get what she deserves. Today,” Emma said, drumming her fingers against the armrest of her wheelchair. It was the third time she’d said it in the last half hour, but none of us called her on it. We were all tense.We stood outside the guild hall in a loose circle, our faces grim
“What did you do with her?”“She’s locked up in Nightshade’s prison for now,” Nicholas said grimly. “I’m going to speak to the guild to decide her fate.”I shivered. I couldn’t believe it, and yet… Somehow, I could. Because Isabella had done so much worse. This was just the cherry on top.My thought
KaylaLight filtered through my eyelids, hazy and blurred. Everything felt heavy. Sore. But alive.The first thing I saw was Nicholas hunched over me, clutching me so tightly I could barely breathe.“Kayla,” he murmured against my throat. “Kayla, please come back…”My shaky hand came up, my fingers
Across the room, Noah let out a roar of grief and anger, his fist punching through the wall with enough force to crack the plaster all the way to the ceiling. Marcus’s hands tore at his hair as he cursed violently. Emma shook in her wheelchair, silent tears streaming down her face. Grace simply star
Nicholas“Detain her!” I snarled at the nearest warriors, who were tangled with their new mates in various states of undress beneath the trees. They scrambled to their feet at my command, eyes widening as they took in Isabella writhing on the ground beneath me, her glamour spell completely faded now
“I’m here, Kayla,” she whispered. “I’ve always been here. It’s going to be okay…”Sobs tore from my throat. “I’m miscarrying, aren’t I?” I choked out, clutching her tighter. “I’m going to lose my baby.” I pulled back just enough to look into those luminous green eyes. “Please emerge before that happ