I force my gaze to Prince Castor next. He wears a broad-shouldered tunic like his father but in more sedate colors, jewel tones instead of brights. No crown, no obvious marker of status beyond his ramrod-straight bearing. But his bow is awkward. He’s not used to being paraded around. Least-loved sec
EstrellaBreakfast feels like a dance I don’t know the steps to. My wolf sings inside of me, begging for the touch of my mate again. Only a table separates us. And she won’t listen to me when I remind her how he treated us. So we compromise. When he looks at his plate, I look at him. The way the tow
“I think it will be.” She laughs again. “Goddess, this is going to be great. I’m taking you under my wing, okay? And I’m going to make sure you have the best time here.” She leans close and drops her voice. “Or at least, as good of a time as you can in a place like Dun’s Crossing.”We exchange secre
AnwenAfter breakfast, I give Kieran my notes. Floyd was nosy, as usual. The king and queen of Sundrop Gem seem to lead together. Prince Castor seems sulky. Nessa isn’t trouble.Kieran hums thoughtfully. “And Princess Estrella? She seems smart, involved.”“Yes,” I say through gritted teeth.“You don
I burst out of the palace, into the midmorning sun. When I reach the walls, the guards open the gate without asking. I may have white fur like so many of our pack, but I lost the end of my tail in the first scuffle Father allowed me out on, so they know my profile from a distance. I pound out the ba
EstrellaI stalk through the halls of Solberg Castle with an unfamiliar scowl on my face. Well, it used to be unfamiliar. After a full day in this palace, I’m starting to worry my face is going to be stuck this way. Father asked me to meet him after one of his endless meetings with King Kieran simpl
I yank myself out of his hold.“Interesting,” he says, like he doesn’t believe me. “Any particular reason?”“So that next time my nose misleads me, I can think around it.” I look him up and down before realizing what a mistake that was. He wears a pair of leather pants that cling to every inch of hi
Anwen“Kieran said you had to go?” Baz asks from where he sits on the railing of the balcony attached to my bedroom.“Those were his exact words.” I scowl at my open wardrobe. “Anwen, you have to go to this ball, or it will look bad for all of us. Authority command and all. Who the fuck does he thin
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