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Chapter 562: Retreat
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 563: The Other Side
I'm not sure what I was expecting. Thunderclaps and lightning and doom coming down on me, maybe. Instead, I rubbed my arms against the subtle chill in the air, feet sliding over dry grass and onto a graveled path. I turned to look back, over the shining land the queen maintained as her reality, Bronagh already gone from view, before spinning back to compare.Not dismal, not really. Just duller, unglamoured. Ordinary. Trees dotted the distance, a riverbank not far away, likely the same one running past the queen's palace. Its banks looked rocky, not the shining white stone I was used to now, but gray and laced with darkness and light. A real river.So the king did like things based in reality. This could work to my advantage after all."What did she want?" Quaid fell in beside me."Nothing." I sighed and shrugged. "Let's just keep moving."Venner's beaming smile almost made me laugh, would have if I wasn't in such a horrible state of mind. He looked like a kid who'd just been grant
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 564: March Of The Unseelie
It didn't take long for the Unseelie king and queen to assemble a large party for the ride back to the barrier between kingdoms. I was a little surprised they were so willing to step up and knew my cynicism came from dealing with Aoilainn. I promised myself if Shaylee's mother was acting like a total bitch because Ameline had somehow influenced her, I'd give her the benefit of the doubt later.I wasn't holding my breath.Oh, yes. And when I said ride? I didn't mean horses. I was quite firmly hoisted onto the back of one of the giant stone Fey, settled on his right shoulder while Gram was placed next to me with lots of space for the two of us. Quaid hitched along with the Sidhe's partner, who I supposed was an attractive troll with her lovely weeds for hair. I caught myself laughing as she handed Quaid a flower with her gigantic fingers.Someone has a crush on you.Quaid shot me a glare while Fergus settled next to him with a big grin on his face.Oh, shut up, Quaid muttered.I lo
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 565: Stolen
I didn't think, didn't pause, just reached out, searching for Ameline. This had to be her doing. Desperation drove my magic over the barrier and into Seelie territory. I almost didn't make it across, not until Thalion's cool power caught mine and pulled me across.Girl. Gram's mental voice slashed across my mind. You're looking for the wrong person.Gasp.Right.Shaylee. But Galleytrot said the perpetual magic makes everything muddied. Here I was arguing against the course of action I'd already set in motion.Your soul knows the difference, Gram sent, her Sidhe soul's power giving me a boost. Go find the princess."I don't have your daughter," I snarled at Aoilainn while my mind, tied to Gram and Thalion, tracked back toward the Seelie palace, searching for the touch of my Sidhe princess.Yes. Mine. And the queen be damned.I think she knew that right from the start because the moment I spoke, Aoilainn seemed to crumple. "Find her," she wailed. "Bring her back to me and anythin
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 566: Witch Politics
Mom spun on the other side, eyes wide, waving at me with urgency while a crowd of Enforcers flanked her. Three familiar old faces, pinched in fury, stared at me through the wavering bubble. The board of governors had come, probably looking for Venner. Though, as far as I was concerned, he wasn't their problem anymore. If he ever was at all.Damned witch politics.Looked like it was frying pan to fire time.Bring it.I couldn't hear Mom through the barrier, probably Thalion's doing. Or the fact she didn't have Sidhe blood.Not that I did anymore either."Thank you." I turned to Thalion. "Hopefully we're not too late." Please. Please, let us not be too late.He bowed his head to me and backed away. I caught Gram hugging Fergus out of the corner of my eye and a spark of curiosity bloomed. I'd have to ask her about the little smile they shared as she let him go.Later. When Shaylee was safe and Ameline was dead.I plunged my hands into the barrier, but felt myself repelled. "I can
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 567: That's What Greed Gets You
Why does it always seem to be what goes around comes back again? I left the confines of the Sidhe wards, with Gram's help, stepping out into the cool, musty air of the basement hallway. And reached for the veil while my demon sniffed out Shaylee.She was surprisingly easy to find. Just like Gram said. And it was all because of greed. The veil parted and welcomed me, Quaid and Charlotte beside me, Galleytrot at our backs, sliding the short distance through the flexible membrane toward our target.I leaped from the edge of the veil when it opened, power surging, rage rising as never before, almost consuming me as I prepared to confront Ameline.She wasn't there. But the trace of her was. Outside the gaping hole of a cavern I knew well, that I'd once thought would be my death at the hands of Cesard and my vampire essence, tied to the demon trapped there. And once to save Sebastian and, through him, my mother when she stood trial.So like Ameline to try to hide. I stomped my way past t
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 568: Recovery
I resealed the entrance to the cave again before turning to watch the six Enforcers, led by leader Pender Tremere himself, bundle up the still weak and hurting Ameline in their grasp and whisk her off to prison.It wasn't until they finally disappeared, the witch girl firmly wrapped in Enforcer magic, her eyes never leaving mine with that old, cold smile on her face, that I actually let out the breath I'd been holding.So sure something would go wrong. Any second now.But I had other things to think about. Charlotte shuddered a few times, her wolf emerging in her eyes as she struggled to settle the Sidhe soul inside her. While Bronagh's spirit had gone to the weregirl willingly, it was clear the two weren't really happy with the situation.Quaid simply stared at me, in a bit of a daze, though when I reached for his hand, his magic slid over my skin, love tied to Liam's.Freaky weird.I tore open the veil and pulled them along with me, slipping through the welcoming edge of the ba
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 569: Goodbye
I didn't go back to Harvard right away. The Kennecott twins wanted to watch over Liam in the cavern for a few days. And I needed to stay near him.When I finally went home to my house, collapsed on my own bed, the quiet night outside soothing me close to sleep, I was thankful for the break. Shenka returned to school, promising to catch me up on work if it killed her. I wasn't worried, not really.If I failed Elemental Interactions, it wouldn't be the end of the world.Snort.When I felt him in the back yard, tears welled in my eyes, but my body was already moving, carrying me down the stairs and to the door. I sat next to him in the chill September night, my hip tucked against his on the bench, so familiar, this meeting place, it almost felt like it would never end.But everything ends. Everything. Eventually.Quaid slid his arm around my shoulders and I settled against him, though without romantic intent. Just a comfortable, calm and soothing moment, two friends supporting eac
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 570: Coven Second
School. Wow. My dorm room felt like an alien planet. But Shenka's smiling face and an eager hug greeted me when I finally returned, so that made all the difference.She immediately began to grill me, dragging me down to sit on her bed beside her. "How's Liam?""He's completely fine," I said, tucking one leg under me. "The healers said he's made a full recovery." And from what I could tell, from what Shaylee felt, that was true. I still worried, especially now I'd decided I was going to throw caution to the wind when it came to him.When, I still hadn't settled on. I wanted to make sure he was back and life was even a little normal before trying the relationship thing.Shenka smiled and squeezed my hand. "I'm so happy for you two," she said. "You know Tippy's going to be all kinds of jealous?"Let her. "Oh well," I said. "She's got lots of prospects."Shenka laughed. "Tell me about it.""Thank you, by the way." I hugged her impulsively. Her scent always reminded me of her home in
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 803: Happy Endings
How was this for a happy ending?Bittersweet, this walk down the halls of the newly restored mansion. I'd been through this before, but I knew this time, I didn't have anything hanging over my head.I loved Liam. But I was finally marrying the man I was meant to be with.The pressure was off this time too, our battles won. I could enjoy my wedding without worrying about Fate or the Brotherhood or Ameline looming in the near future.Awesome.I even found Wilding Springs was fine without the influence of the Gate, just as Fergus said. That it still felt like magic. Probably a combination of the century or so of the Gate's influence deeply mired in the whole town. Not to mention the presence of the Wild Hunt still snoozing in my back yard.And the coven.I didn't worry we'd have to move anytime soon. Good thing. I kind of liked being in one place for once.Made me think of Sonja, of Liam again. His mother disappeared after the night she met Gabriel. I tried to look for her, feelin
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 802: Wedding Day
Another mirror. Another dress. Totally different experience.I stood on what amounted to a pedestal as at least a dozen or so giggling vampires tugged, pushed and laced me into the biggest, heaviest mass of fabric and jewels I'd ever seen in my entire life. The thing weighed so much I had to have my alter egos help me carry it so it wouldn't drive me to my knees.This was the punishment I got for picking out my first wedding dress alone.This one was, at least, the pale ivory I'd requested. White would have felt disrespectful to Liam's memory. And Mom happily acquiesced before losing her freaking mind.And when I appealed to Sunny for assistance in my mother's sudden loss of sanity?Yeah.I was surrounded by vampires, wasn't I?Shenka hovered, her ball gown sparkling, covered in as many gems as could possibly be stuck to her. Again Mom went with the jewel tones. I guess she figured a good idea was a terrible thing to waste.And considering only a handful of people had seen the
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 801: Familiar Magic
I sat on the side of my bed, looking out the window into the quiet street, the buzzing streetlight below me oddly comforting. I'd tried to sleep after returning home, put Gabriel to bed with Charlotte who met me at the front door after Sass, Galleytrot and I strolled home in the sharpening night air. Her massive scowl told me I was in horrible trouble as she took my son from me.Okay, so I didn't exactly put him to bed.Snort.Galleytrot and Sassafras naturally abandoned me for her room, leaving me alone. Which was fine, it really was. I had a hot shower, pulled on my favorite robe. Had a little cry. Not much. Just a pathetic little spill of tears I held over from the Gate.From Liam.And felt my heart ease at last.Wrapped myself in the love in my house, the people sleeping there. Shenka and Charlotte, Galleytrot and Sass. Gram and Demetrius. All of us, happy just to be home.But sleep wouldn't come. My mind struggled with belief. That Ameline was really dead. That Gabriel was
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 800: Gateway
I looked down into my son's sleeping face before sinking into the rocking chair beside his crib and releasing of the last of my stress. He was really too big for the thing now, but I needed to do some thinking about a bed and a room for him and just didn't have the energy to deal.A soft, furry body landed in my lap, Sassafras purring as he kneaded my leg a few times before turning in a circle and settling himself."Nice to see them together again," he said.I knew exactly who he meant. Mom and Dad wasted no time taking off for Harvard for some private time. I blushed at the thought of my parents and what they were probably doing right now.Shudder.Galleytrot groaned from the end of the crib, eyes flaring with red fire as he looked up."What about you, Syd?" His rumbling voice shifted my shudder to a shiver. "Have you thought about a new mate?"Not going there. "I've been thinking," I said, totally changing the subject. Yes, on purpose. No judging. "About Gabriel and his power.
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 799: Homecoming
Meira grinned at me like it was funny. And it was, in a way. She sat behind Dad's old desk-Ahbi's, too-and bounced a little in the chair."Comfy," she said. Winked.Oh. My. Swearword.Dad laughed, hugged me abruptly. "Meems, pumpkin," loved his pet name for her, though I liked cupcake better despite years of protest, "I'm sorry to do this to you.""You've already apologized, Dad," she said, looking quite pleased with herself. Hard to remember she was only fourteen with that evil grin, hands rubbing together in expectation. "I'm going to do some housecleaning first. Then the real fun will start."I shook my head, giggling. "Just leave a few of the planes standing."She shrugged, inspected her nails. "We'll see.""I take it the Node is fine?" It felt fine, Demonicon still intact at least."It was in balance long before Ahbi took up residence," Meira said. "She was only just hitchhiking anyway."I looked up at Dad who sighed deeply, lines of anxiety leaving his face."You're cra
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 798: Ruler
The sparkling kneepads attached to my heavy leather pants caught the light of the triple suns overhead as I shifted for the millionth time, foot bobbing on the end of my crossed leg. Sassafras hissed at me. The bobbing stopped.For the moment. The longer we sat here, the more agitated I felt. Didn't help it took Pagomaris an age and a half to dress me while Meira was being man-handled in her bedroom."Your demon form would be so much easier to dress, Your Highness." Hopefulness lit the aide's eyes as she smiled and scrunched her shoulders like talking to me as if I were a child would endear her."Not." I scowled at her. "Work with this or nothing." I gestured down at my human form.And she sighed.Gestured for her minions to come forward.Left me to them as though I was no longer worth her effort, returning to my sister who grinned at me through the open door of her bedroom.Argh.I did concede to shifting my size, remembering how small I felt next to Meira when she was in demo
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 797: Royal Wedding
I glared at my reflection in the mirror. "I'm not going.""You are." Sassafras growled softly at me before sighing heavily. "And so am I, remember?""They're not going to make you wear a ridiculous outfit and parade around like you're their property." More glaring.I. Was. Not. Going.Sass hopped down from the bed and waddled to my side, tail quivering. "You can't let Meira down," he said, leaping into my lap. I stroked his fur absently. "It would be a terrible thing for her to have to sit through Harry's marriage alone.""So maybe he shouldn't get married." Whiny much? But there was the crux, wasn't it?Today was my father's wedding day.And the last place I wanted to be was Demonicon. In fact, a hole somewhere deep and far away would have been preferable. Anything other than having to endure my father marrying a demon.That would be the end for Mom and Dad. The real end. And I didn't think I could handle it."Harry has made his choice," Sassafras said, meeting my eyes in the
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 796: Payten's Confession
I was already turning and moving back inside by the time Mom began her little speech to wrap up the trial. I had no desire to listen, moving on from it though Celeste's foul stench remained on me. A quick push of magic cleared my nose, clothes and hair of the stink, even as I strode with ever-increasing speed toward the back of the now-emptying chamber and the hall beyond.A startled Enforcer was the lucky recipient of the bag of marshmallows, slapped against his chest on the way by.I seemed to have lost my appetite.Was so focused on my final target I almost ran right into Payten when she dodged out of the shadows of an archway and stepped in front of me.My first instinct was to hit her so hard with magic they wouldn't find her body.Ever.Second instinct was to flatten her into a Paytensquish and smear her all over the floor with my shoes.Yum.Third impulse won, partially because I was a sucker for a sobbing girl, Enforcer or not.Hated enemy or not.She radiated grief,
Hayle Coven Novels Chapter 795: Celeste's Trial
I'd sat here before, on a bench in the Council chamber, watching a trial unfold before me, Shenka at my side. But this one was far different. I had no regrets, no old grief-at least not for the creature about to stand before my mother.Any sorrow I felt around Celeste Oberman centered on the Hayle family members she'd killed. Martin and Louisa Vega, the darling couple who loved and cared about me when there were times no one else in the coven seemed to. Sandra Crossman, leaving her husband, James, alone to raise their daughter.Old wounds long since healed over, but never, ever forgotten.Worse, Gabriel wasn't with me. Antsy pants wriggled my butt in my velvet skirt as I fidgeted and held him tight with my magic while he laughed at something and ignored me.My own son, a traitor.Sigh.Shenka squeezed my hand, smiled a little. "He's fine," she said."I know," I whispered back. Not needing to. We weren't the only ones chattering. The gathering for Mia's burning-it seemed so long
