KieranI wake to lamplight streaming through the curtains. It’s early morning. Though I can’t see it down here in the tunnels, I imagine the sun is still hiding beneath the horizon. I should still be asleep, but my mind and body are at odds with my heart, and rest hasn’t come easy. Raven and I made
I just watch her, barely touching my food, until she lifts her head and stares at the window, where a small blue bird is tapping on the glass and chirping incessantly. I wonder how it got down here, but then, these people love animals. They must allow some of them in the tunnels.“What is it saying?
*Raven*An odd sense of calm washes over me, even when Kieren has ascended back above ground, back into the sun. I pick up the teacup my aunt Nola gave me and sniff it suspiciously. She knew this would be hard for me, so she must have slipped me something to calm me down. The thoughtfulness touches
‘My parents can visit, of course,’ I say with a laugh. ‘Not too often,’ he nearly growls. ‘And not for several weeks after I return. Maybe months.’ I turn my head and giggle into a nearby pillow that’s still covered in his scent. I breathe him in deeply, and the ache is dulled. ‘Trouble,’ he says
*Kieran* I travel southwest for an entire day through the remains of Escuro, my unease growing with each new step. A monster did this to their kingdom when they were already weak and defenseless. And he lied to us about it for our whole lives. If not for Raven, I might have become exactly like him.
‘I left mine with you,’ I say with the last ounce of strength I have left. The dawn hits my eyes far sooner than I’m prepared for, and I stretch my tired limbs, an aching soreness spreading through my body. The last few days have been hell on my body, but the journey isn’t nearly over yet. Better g
*Raven* The bed that was once so comfortable now feels as hard as a rock without Kieran there. I spend the entire night tossing and turning and unable to think of anything else but Kieran’s safety. It’s so quiet without his thoughts in my head. How strange when I’ve spent my entire life without the
“Our scouts have told me that there have been no sightings of the troops from Dun’s Crossing,” mother is saying, and I realize sheepishly that I haven’t been listening. “Still, we must remain cautious. I’d like to wait one more day before anyone else ventures outside.” There’s grumbling from the sa
Anwen grunts in pain. “Okay, that’s enough.”“Just a moment longer,” I plead.Out of the corner of my eye, I see his indulgent smile.After another moment, my family unwinds themselves from me. I exhale in a gust as my pain becomes manageable again. Tess perches on the edge of the seemingly wooden t
EstrellaI float for a long time in darkness. Not exactly here or absent. Not exactly comfortable or in pain. Not very much at all.Then, my whole body flames back to screaming, torturous life at once. I am the heart of an inferno, consuming everything that I am to produce the flame. A hoarse, ragge
Like she should be. Fuck. If Estrella is already gone somehow, already looking down on me, and she sees me abandoning all the progress I’ve made the second she’s not watching, she’s going to find a way to become a ghost just to kick my ass.I start pacing. Raven takes a dropper of the liquid, winces
AnwenSomeone screams. I think it might be me.I slide across the glass-covered floor to Estrella’s side and wrap my arms around her. My heart hammers.“No, no, no,” I mumble. “You can’t—not after—please.” My voice breaks on the last word.Her body is still warm. That has to mean something. It fucki
Behind me, Estrella sucks in a breath. Fabric rustles. Every instinct screams to keep my eyes on Floyd—I glance back at her. She is pushing into a sitting position. The black veins climbing up her throat threaten to choke me, but she nods. Sways, nearly falls, but fucking nods and picks a piece of
AnwenI pluck at the neck of my wedding clothes and look at myself in the mirror.“You look like shit,” Baz says from the bed behind me. Despite Estrella’s efforts, he’s still healing.“Thanks.” He’s right, though. Sundrop’s bright colors just kind of make me look sick. And the damned thing is so st
The cold. If it hurts enough, Anwen will feel me. He’ll know. And he’ll free me from this Goddess-damned ice so I can tear Floyd Winters limb from limb, as he deserves. That’s what Floyd missed.I grind the tender flesh of my ankles against the jagged edge of my prison.“You’re barely fucking civili
EstrellaMy heart thunders against my ribcage. My pulse roars. Mother, Castor, Tess—all gone. And with the wedding in an hour, I cannot yet mind-link to Anwen. I am alone.With the man who murdered my father.An oil-slick smile splits Floyd’s face as he circles me. The dagger in his hand shines. I l
King Andri clears his throat loudly. “In Snowcrest Canyon, it is rude to have a private conversation in public.”“Apologies.” Kieran dips his head, but I catch the scowl he’s hiding. “Prince Anwen was curious about how Prince Hollis came to hold such a position of power.”I smile as surprise washes