*Kieran*Blanca stares at me as if she can’t comprehend what I’ve just said. I don’t blame her; I’m not sure I can comprehend it myself. But then, I’ve said it, and I mean it.“Kill your father?” she repeats.I nod. “That’s right. We need to kill him. Of course, it would be nice to hear him confess
“Sorry.” I look over at her, and she nods. “I didn’t mean to yell at you. I was having a bad dream.”Her fear melts away, and concern takes its place. “Are you all right now?”“I will be.”In near silence, we go about our morning routine and then get on our way. Seeing the spot where she fell the ni
*Blanca*Kieran is gone–swallowed up by a tree! I can hardly believe what I’m seeing. The tree simply opened, and now, he’s disappeared. It takes me a moment to comprehend, and I have to wonder if perhaps all trees are capable of this, and my sheltered life has left me thinking otherwise, but then I
Luna Delaney approaches us carefully, her face as ashen as possible considering she has a dark complexion like me. Her eyes are also dark, as is her hair, which is tied up on the top of her head. I see the crinkles around her eyes that say she’s had a hard life, and I am again reminded of myself. A
*Kieran*The moment Blanca starts naming names, I know we’re in for it. I want to tell her to be more vague, but I also don’t think it’s a wise decision to be secretive right now, and we still don’t have the mind-link. I was an idiot for not believing she was my mate and going ahead with the ceremon
I also see a well. That explains how everyone is clean. They have fresh water. I’m assuming they tapped into something my father and his men didn’t poison.The Luna’s house isn’t too far. By the time we arrive, I’m glad I’ll be sitting down soon. My back hurts from the fall, and I have a slight limp
*Raven*I blink a few times and am glad the Luna hasn’t handed me the picture to hold because I would probably drop it and shatter the glass all over the packed-earth floor.“What did you say your daughter’s name is?” My voice is a whisper, and I hope that it doesn’t betray the emotions that are wel
I swallow hard, thinking of Kieran’s theory. He nudges me with his knee, and I give him a slight nod. “Luna Delaney,” I begin, wondering why the same thought that is in my head hasn’t occurred to her yet. Perhaps she’s too forlorn. “I was a few months old at the time of the attack,” I begin. She ti
Someone takes her hand. Goddess above, is that Nessa fucking Winters? I thought she died in a Dun’s Crossing prison—but even as I think that, I half remember Candace mentioning she escaped.I lower the telescope and look at Father. He stares out over the approaching army, his face lined and bleak. T
Hollis“Almost.” Standing in the training room in the castle, I adjust the shoulders of a teenage boy, training to become part of the military someday. “But you want them in line with your hips for the maximum draw distance. Try it now.”He relaxes his hold on the bowstring then pulls it back again.
“I actually have plans.” I glance at the table. The dream is still keeping me up, so I’ve been napping during the day more often, and I promised to meet Hollis in that room off the portrait gallery when I wake up.Ingrid’s grin immediately falls. “With him?”She won’t say Hollis’s name unless forced
Candace“There’s got to be something we’re missing.” Heavy bags hang under Kieran’s eyes as our stay in Kar Castle stretches into the second week.“I don’t have a clue what,” Taner replies, equally tired. “He hasn’t even replied to any of our attempts conclusively enought to figure out what’s pissin
“You pretend to be larger than we are.” I gesture at the maps and papers showing the extent of our lands, our forces. “We are strong, we are powerful, and we are small. You’re puffing yourself up like a frightened cat to try to intimidate the largest kingdom in the world.”“Frightened?” Father scoff
HollisA few days later, I sit in Father’s tapestry-covered office for one of our weekly meetings, warming my hands over his fire.“What are you smiling about?” he snaps. “Our southwestern border has been attacked.”“By rogues.” I try to swallow my grin, but it’s impossible. It’s been impossible sin
When he brings a hand up to tease my other nipple, I remember I can actually move my arms. One hand, I thread instantly into his hair and tug. The vibrations of his grumble ripple through me. The other, I slip down his back, nails out, scratching red lines I can’t see. I need to mark him as much as
CandaceI trail after Hollis through the dark halls of the castle, my heart pounding. If Finn didn’t talk to me after the meeting, I would’ve let Hollis whisk me on whatever adventure he had planned for today. I never would’ve heard the story about his mother—and he wouldn’t have told it. Judging by
“Long story short, I pitched a fit.” I shake my head. “She finally told the painter she’d sit with me in the room, or not at all.”Candace giggles. “Don’t tell me that’s when you gained your taste for paint thinner.”“No, but I did eat a fistful of blue paint I’ve never seen come back out.” I stare