Anwen‘Nessa just confirmed everything,’ Candace says through the mind-link.‘What?’ I reply, trying not to look like I’m talking to anyone.“If we put the targets in the west field, the sun will be in everyone’s eyes by noon.” Taner, Kieran’s Beta and representative at the meeting, taps the rough m
“Why not?” King Andri asks.“She’s been keeping to herself lately.” I shrug like I have no idea what could be causing that. “I worry.”King Andri looks severely at Floyd, who swallows visibly.“She’s been under the weather,” he says. “I will have her pay you a visit soon.”I incline my head. “Much a
EstrellaCandace jerks in her seat. I look up from where I’m pacing the room to see a grin spread across her face.“He’s on his way,” she says.Tess, who long ago finished braiding the princess’s hair, squeezes my hand. I don’t need to ask who’s coming. My heart thuds like a racing horse. Soon, Anwe
“I love you.” I drop a kiss on his lips. “And, Goddess forgive me, I trust you. But you must take Castor.”Anwen grimaces. “Will do. The rest of the women should stay here with you.”Tess makes a disdainful noise.“I can’t leave her unprotected,” he tells her.I twist and watch my best friend soften
AnwenWith Nessa’s list in hand and all three of us dressed in plain, heavy clothes, Baz, Castor, and I sneak down into the city proper, through my favorite secret passage so even the guards don’t know we’re gone. My whole body hums with adrenaline. I couldn’t—can’t kill Floyd. Not yet. But this fuc
Like he can read my fucking mind, he hangs a hard right into a narrow alley with a standing market. Vendors in layers of mismatched clothes crowd the tiny space. Speed won’t help me here. I could throw back my hood and demand they stop him as their prince, but—“Allow me.” Castor breezes past me int
EstrellaMy room!’ Castor shouted through the mind-link. ‘Now!’I turned and sprinted out of the solarium without a second thought, leaving the party behind. I hurtle down the halls of Solberg Castle, the veil of my wedding dress flapping behind me like a broken wing, without a thought in my mind b
I shake my head furiously. “I killed him.”“What?”“Father.” My shoulders shake with sobs. “I knew the bond would make me stronger. Strong enough to—to—”“Oh, love.” Anwen kisses my cheeks.I tear out of his arms. Everything is too loud, too much.“Don’t say that about yourself,” Castor says roughly
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