My chest aches thinking about Raven there without me. I wish I could just tell my friends about her, but I’m not sure how much I can trust them just yet. We’ve been friends since we were children, but what if I slip the wrong thing to them and my plan unravels? It’s too important to see this through
*Raven*The next day, Mother guides me through a few more exercises to help me master my powers. It’s not much harder than controlling animals, but the feeling ripples through me like an electric charge. I still just think something and watch it happen, but the elements seem to shift around me and i
“You know that’s not how the Goddess works,” Melany tells her in a soothing manner. “She bestows gifts how She sees fit.” “Then she’s blind,” Sybil screeches. “You are nothing but a spoiled princess from a kingdom that tried to destroy us. You’re the last person in the world who should have receive
*Kieran* I stare back into the blank expressions of my three best friends, my heart pounding in my chest so loud I’m sure they can hear it. This might have been a bad idea. A really bad idea. Even though these are the three men I would trust with my life, I’ve asked them to stomach a lot in the las
I start walking down the long, dark corridor toward King Cole’s cell. A few of the other prisoners look at me in interest, some even throw out verbal insults, but I ignore them as I focus on my destination. He’s sitting on his bed when I arrive, waiting for me. I quickly look around to make sure no
*Raven* Every time I close my eyes, I see lightning strike down just inches from where Sybil stands. Guilt gnaws in my stomach no matter how much I toss and turn in my large bed. If Kieran were here, he’d hold me, tell me that it’s all okay. He’d probably laugh about it. I can almost hear his laugh
“There’s nothing you can’t share with me, love,” she tells me earnestly. “We’ve already lost so much time together, I never want you to feel that you have to keep things from me.” Tears fill my eyes again, and I nod. “I can’t help but think about my old family,” I admit reluctantly. “They ignored
*Kieran* King Cole and I lock eyes, and for a moment, I see his fire. Despite his physical weakness from the harsh beatings he’s recently received, he’s ready to fight. “A little help here,” I mind-link with my friends. The dungeon doors swing open, and Taner, Whyte, and Lucian storm into the spac
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