He simpers. “Apologies, Your Highness, but my magic simply isn’t powerful enough. There is no way for you to inspect the king’s body without disturbing the ice, which—”“Will damage the body before they can get it back to Sundrop Gem,” I snarl. “I’ve heard the speech before. Just”—I shake my head—“k
EstrellaIn a break between meetings, when Castor reports Anwen is shut up in his office with orders not to disturb him, I creep through the halls of the castle to visit Father. My dress, a re-dyed version of the purple and blue Tess offered is now purple and deep, dark red that reminds me of blood
In some ways, I could. I could brush my fingers over his ruined cheeks and return color to them. But with my weak abilities, I could do no more.“Would you like that?” I ask anyway. “Then, we could change you into something a little more comfortable.”I wonder if Floyd can hear me through the door.
AnwenI tap my feet against the solarium floor, fighting an instinct that demands I pace.She’s coming, Baz reminds me without looking away from the spread on the table in front of us. I called him back from the chase leading ever closer to the castle because there’s no one else who could sit at my
My temper flares. “And what if someone from your own kingdom perpetrated the attack? Baz and his team didn’t rule out Sundrop Gem. We don’t know your smells.”Her grip on her utensils tightens. “My people would not do this. My father was beloved. We gain nothing from his death.”“Apologies, Luna Est
EstrellaI yank against Anwen’s grip, ignoring the way my wolf howls for more. “Unhand me!”He looks at me with those icy blue eyes, then turns to Tess. “I must insist you give us a moment alone.”My face burns. How dare he talk to her like I’m not here? I am Luna Queen of Sundrop Gem! I turn to Tes
And if I allow it, this will end. Whatever spell exists between us will shatter, and we’ll be forced to face what’s happening. That is the one thing I can’t control.I unwind my leg and yank him back by his hair. He licks his glimmering lips salaciously.“Not satisfied?” He smirks. “I usually get be
Anwen“…So I haven’t discovered anything solid, but we’re making progress,” I report to Kieran the day after my failed lunch with Estrella. Raven sits next to him, nodding.He taps on the arm of his desk chair. “All right. Would—”‘Got him!’ Baz roars to all of us.‘Finally,’ I reply.‘How close are
My quill flows across the page, writing down every word of the story. Mother’s voice rings in my ears, soft over familiar phrases. When I’m done, I don’t read it over. I’ll just crumple it up if I do. But I scribble one last thing at the end.Even if the tower never falls….Seconds tick away as I st
HollisI’m a moron. Worse than that, I’m insane. That’s what Mother said when she found out I’d stuck my tongue to the frozen pole outside of the kitchen three times in a week and basically skinned the damn thing every time. But every time, I thought it would be like in a story Eva and I read, where
“I want something more active,” I say. “Like you. I want to… I don’t know… make something?”“Easy.” Ingrid claps her hands together. “Have you ever done any fine arts? Drawing, painting, sculpting?”I shake my head. Yet another class Mother thought was filling my head up with nonsense.“Okay. I know
CandaceI’m sitting at the dressing table, fixing my hair for the first time in days, when a bird starts singing right outside my tent. An ash warbler. For the third time since sunset yesterday. I almost smile.When it first happened, I made Ingrid go check. We were way outside of where the warbler
‘Catch me if you can!’ she calls through the mind-link.In wolf form, I can’t give her the necklace if I want to. I stuff her clothes and mine in her sewing bag, then shift and give chase.Escuro flies by. I barely notice it. My attention remains locked on Eva’s bright-red tail disappearing between
HollisMy plan to act like I actually believe Eva is going to be my wife is going great—except for the fact that I basically haven’t slept since I started it because my mark hurts so Goddess-damned bad. That’ll fade. I know it will. Because I do believe Eva’s going to be my wife. It’s what everyone
Outside the tent, someone makes the tiniest whimper I’ve ever heard. My heart squeezes.“They can come in, but no lights.” I sit up. “And don’t ask, please.”Ingrid nods and starts to turn away, but her gaze locks on mine. She’s noticed. Of course. Every muscle in my body tenses.She turns back for
CandaceFor the third morning in a row, I pull my covers over my head as lunch approaches and rub eyes gritty from crying.Well, not exactly the third morning in a row. The very next day, I tried. I got up, made myself beautiful even as Ingrid fluttered around me, saying I didn’t have to go out if I
Not that I’m keeping track. I, in fact, am doing the exact opposite. I’ve been so caught up in her that I’ve been neglecting my responsibilities. Even if she’s not the person I’m going to spend my life with, I still believe in her dream. There’s just no reason for her to lie, or to seem so scared if