Theodore We took a short detour in what looked like a post office, but it was unlike any post office I'd ever seen. The air felt charged with magic, and I figured that had something to do with it. By the time we stepped back into the tailor shop, the day was starting to head toward the evening. A
“Don’t take it personally. She’s guarded about it for… obvious reasons." I frowned, then I realized that he wasn't wearing anything that would usually be worn on this side of the border. My heart quickened. He was from the other side of the border. "The rest of us can't wait to meet you.” “I'm
Theodore I blinked, caught between skepticism and an overwhelming warmth at the gesture. “You’re cooking for me?” “Don’t sound so surprised,” she teased, opening another jar. “I can be domestic when it suits me.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “My mouth is already watering in anticipation…" “You’ll
Despite the prick of worry, the thought of her… teaching me something because she thought it was something that I should know, something she wanted to share with me, something that would draw me closer to her made me smile. "Will you tell me… why?" Violet's lips twitched. "You're a Noble Consort n
Theodore The helicopter’s blades slowed to a lazy spin as we landed on the Vainthott estate’s helipad. From above, the territory had been a patchwork of sprawling fields and stately hills, but now, standing here, I could see the meticulous order behind it all. Nothing was out of place. I stepped o
Before I knew it, we were walking into the Vainthott estate. It was like stepping into another world. It had all the gravitas the palace should have if all the grand little details hadn't been destroyed. It made me wonder what the Donovan Estate looked like. The air shimmered faintly, charged with
Theodore I shook his hand and nodded. Then, he shooed us off, and I followed Violet through the garden, stopping now and then as she made introductions. Each new face came with a title, a history, and a handshake or polite nod. It was all a little overwhelming—not because it was difficult to keep u
I laughed. "Violet said you're in agriculture. How are things? With the storm systems and all." For the next several minutes, we talked about crop rotations, irrigation systems, and the challenges of balancing agricultural growth with environmental preservation in the middle of what looked like onc
Theo’s gaze became unfocused, and I knew he was replaying the scene from dinner. “So you faked your reaction,” he concluded, but then his brows bunched. “To the point of vomiting?”I hesitated at that. “That was unintentional. I imagined losing you to make my response more believable, but I must hav
Violet’s POVI had been greedy.I could see how distraught Theo was, how deeply he had believed my false devastation. But as he set me down in my shower, I realized what I needed to do. I realized this might be the last minutes I had with him for an unknown amount of time.So instead of comforting h
Theodore’s POVI didn’t understand why the Moonstone glowed.Yes, I felt some sort of pull toward Eva, but everything about her felt off. And I still also felt a pull toward Violet, even if it did feel battered and beaten. Then I turned in horror to Violet out of habit, turned to my mate who I had p
Violet’s POVYou knew this would happen.A remnant of a long-lost fear whispered in my ear, reminding me of the belief I once felt so strongly: that Theodore and I were only together because of a contract, a transaction, a business arrangement and that I would be smart to never become emotionally en
Theodore’s POVIt was like a fog had settled in my brain. A fog laced with pain.The fog took me under at the temple. Scrambled my senses in what appeared to be a hospital. Only one thing kept me conscious.Alari. My wife, my mate, my Violet.Anger dissipated the already fading fog as I put together
"I don't imagine you're here to check on your brother," I said, not looking at him directly. "So, what brings you here, dear brother-in-law."I let my gaze drift toward him, taking in his irritation. He looked furious behind his almost placid expression."More on business," he said."We will be retu
VioletHe passed out as I expected, but the fact that he didn't even know who I was talking about spoke volumes. He was sickly pale, drained, flushed. Blood still smeared on his face and neck.Lily said he'd started to bleed from his nose and ears, convulsing and speaking a language neither of them
“Theodore,” she whispered, her voice soft, reverent. “I’ve been looking for you. Don't turn away from me.” A strange pressure coiled in my chest, the same unnatural pull I’d felt at the temple. I felt nauseous. Sick. I turned away from her. Looking, squinting through the haze to see the other figu
VioletDarkness stretched endlessly before me, vast and empty. Then, the dream took shape. The two wolves from before stood on a precipice, their fur illuminated by an unseen light. The white wolf stood firm, waiting, watching. The black wolf was near, coming up behind the other. Their bands of li