Theodore She came in fast and hard, cutting low and quick, faster than I expected. Faster than should have been possible with her still laboring under her bond with Violet. She aimed a solid kick to my shoulder, pushing me enough that my feet slipped and skidded across the ground. The sleeve of my
Finally, in one coordinated movement, we both struck—our blades flying from our hands and landing in the grass at the same time. The crowd erupted in applause as we stood there, breathless and staring at each other. “Well,” I said, panting. "What happens--" I yelped as she tossed me over her shoul
Violet The combat matches drew to a close rather quickly. No one was dragging it out after Lucas and Owen had been tossed around like helpless chickens for nearly an hour. I won't say that it wasn't entertaining to watch Lucas land hard and fast at the feet of men several times his age. Owen was no
I shook my head. My conscience would nag at me all night if I didn't, and I had better plans to enact tonight with my husband than worrying about my ex-husband's mistress. I licked my lips thinking about the look in Theodore's eye before he'd stolen that kiss. Yeah. A lot better things to think ab
Violet I turned back at the sound of a sharp clatter and caught sight of Nora dumping the plate of food into a small waste bin by the cot. Her expression was tight with anger as she muttered, “I don’t need your pity.” I didn’t flinch. The action—and her defiance—meant nothing to me. I wasn't going
The afternoon sun had begun to dip, casting a warm, golden hue over the gathering. By the time the matches concluded, a festive air had settled over the estate. The nobles gathered in clusters, laughing and chatting as the servants began setting up for the reception. Theodore was surrounded, drawing
TheodoreHer grip on her champagne flute tightened, and she turned her head slightly, meeting my gaze. Her eyes were dark and heavy-lidded, filled with amusement and fondness that made me grin like a child.Giddy.Happy.And drunk.I blinked as the realization hit me.I was drunk.Not the kind of re
Happy.I guessed that meant I had passed all the tests for the evening.Violet simply dipped her head in a polite nod. “How gracious of you.”I took her cue and stepped back, offering my arm. She placed her hand in the crook of my elbow, letting me lead her away from the revelry, though I could stil
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