They barely respond at all. Mother looks at her nails in boredom, and my father’s face doesn’t change at all. He’s still just looking at me with a stoic expression. “Yes, well,” he says, clearing his throat. “That is, of course, terrible news.” “Terrible,” my mother echoes in a monotone. “Terrible
There’s a loud knock on my front door, and I’m so exhausted I have to actually take a moment to remember where I am. Thankfully, my eyes have gotten very used to the dark, and I manage to make it to the door without turning on any of the lights. Mother is on the other side with a steaming mug of tea
It’s all a bit overwhelming, knowing that I’ve done this, yet the pride swells in my chest nonetheless. When the animals have all dispersed, Mother smiles brightly at me and pulls me into a long embrace. “You’ve done so well, my love,” she whispers into my ear. She pulls back slightly and I see a m
*Kieran*The walk to the dungeon is colder and darker than I remember. It’s always been dingy, sure. Truthfully, I’ve only ever come down to chastise Raven for being here when she shouldn’t or yell at her father. How did she stand it, I wonder. The stench alone is enough to send people running in th
“And tell me, should I be calling you son, now?” he asks in barely more than a whisper. I nod curtly. “We were wed before I left. Perhaps we’ll celebrate again when you can join us,” I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I remember my wedding. I can’t wait to get this over with so I
*Raven* The sky is bright and cloudless when we emerge the next morning. The storm from yesterday left the ground soaked through, and mud squishes under my shoes as we make our way back to the center of the field. Mother’s been strangely quiet all morning as if she’s lost in thought. I can’t seem
“And your parents allowed it?” Her face is like a mask to me now. It must be as hard for her to ask me these questions as it is for me to answer. “The king never really paid me much mind unless I was in serious trouble,” I explain, no longer needing to refer to King Gavin as my father. “The queen d
*Kieran*An hour later, I’m walking back toward my room when I see the absolute last person I can stomach at the moment. Nessa. The moment she locks eyes with me, she’s running toward me, latching herself around my neck. Her little minions titter in excitement behind her. Were they not there, I’d ma
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