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
*Kieran*After a tearful reunion with her mother, Blanca–I mean Raven–is taken outside to meet the rest of the pack. I tag along in awe of everything I’m seeing. Unlike my mate, I’ve known my parents my whole life, and I’ve always felt like they loved me. But after seeing this, I’m beginning to real
“Nola,” Delaney chastises. “Keery has said he will be helping Cole return to us. Let’s support that. We know, as much as anyone, what it’s like to have your mate stolen away from you. In order for Keery to help us, he will have to leave Raven behind. That’s difficult for anyone, especially newly fou
*Raven*I have an Aunt.Nola takes me to her home, and together we begin to bake a traditional dessert that is eaten during celebrations. She tells me all about how the dish is prepared and why it means so much to our people.I am listening the best I can, but I am distracted. I keep thinking about
“Thank you.” Again, I blush and look away. Handsome isn’t the half of it. He’s gorgeous, just like all the princes in the storybooks I managed to swipe from the library over the years.Aunt Nola starts to speak again but then goes quiet. I wonder if she’s realized who Kieran really is and is mad unt
*Kieran*When Delaney first asked me to come with her, I was nervous, but as we walked along, she told me about what it was like giving birth to Raven, how she’d been asking the Moon Goddess to bless her with a child for many years and hadn’t been lucky enough to have one until finally she found out
“Let us celebrate!” the Luna says, and then we are rushed away to the area of the plaza where the food is ready for everyone. Musicians begin to play the guitar, violin, drums, and flute. With our hands still bound together, we are led out to the floor and begin to dance. At first, I’m a bit shy, bu
RavenMy legs ache from dancing. At one point, I took my shoes off and let Kieran spin me in circles across the rough cobblestone in the square. Now, I’m barefoot and hobbling beside my mate–my husband–along a trail through the tunnels lit by the same lanterns the villagers had hung in the square be
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
HollisI take a full step back from Candace before my brain catches up with my body. We were supposed to go try to get some of the staff on our side today—and if the idea appealed, maybe have a private lunch in the kitchen, without all the pressure of a formal meal. Talking about Mother is… not exac
Maybe I don’t have to. Hollis and I made it into town the other day, and it’s really not far from the castle. If Kieran paid for my accommodation in an inn there, that might go some way toward easing the tension. Maybe mine and Kash’s. He’s still enjoying the palace far more than he has any right to
Candace“King Andri has refused my latest meeting request,” Kieran says.Taner groans. Finn rolls his eyes. Ingrid cracks her knuckles and glares at the portrait of the king that hangs over the small sitting room they’ve been granted to use for their meetings.I scratch a line through the bottom ent
Open the east gate, I call through the mind-link to the soldiers that should be on guard there at this time.They do as they’re told, and metal whines in the distance. Candace pricks an ear then picks up speed. Fuck. I can’t explain to her that’s just my orders being followed. She doesn’t even know
HollisMy first plan didn’t work out. Hell, I haven’t seen paw nor tail of Kash since that disastrous conversation with him. I have no idea why it went to shit. It really seemed like we were onto something, like Candace was about to unearth some big secret… and then he just shut down.I roll out my
Kash frowns. “Then how’d she find out? See a mark?”“In effect.” Hollis stares at the rocky floor.“He’s softening it.” I bite my lip. “We didn’t not pursue as much as we intended to, and she caught us. We made a terrible, selfish mistake that’s caused a lot of problems, and we just want to fix them