“…Doesn’t matter,” Rowena is saying. “There is nothing to do. For you. That’s why you’re here, after all.”Candace blows out a sharp breath. “I’m here because I convinced Kieran to allow me to assign your guards.”Thank the Goddess. But I don’t leave my spot. Listening a little longer can’t hurt, no
CandaceI tug Hollis away by the wrist—the least romantic place I could grab him, because even though I assigned all my favorite guards to Mother, I don’t trust anyone enough to actually admit who my mate is—and pray under my breath that he actually was just walking by. If he overheard a single word
“Some self-defense.” He chuckles.“You’re not going to hurt me.” The words taste bitter in my mouth, but I cover them with another kiss.Hollis melts into me. There’s no shake in his arms, no hint that holding me is any strain. He could throw me all around this clearing without breaking a sweat. I c
HollisI storm out of the copse of trees, clenching and unclenching my hands. I have to hit something. There has to be something in this Goddess-forsaken place for me to hit. I march back to the mock-training ground Zain and I slapped together, still empty, but we’ve only finished the fucking archer
“What’d you say?” Finn asks.“I told her I didn’t have a future with anyone who asked those kinds of questions.”More laughter. My smile grows. I can barely feel the mark’s sting. I’m not the problem, Candace is. She demanded answers after we agreed that it wasn’t the time to talk. What did she expe
CandaceTwo days later, Ingrid chatters about a music discussion she had with some Lilywind noble as she, Finn, and I head to the rejuvenation ritual. I want to listen. I really do. But my eyelids droop, my muscles burn, and it’s taking all my concentration to keep my skirt from dragging in the mud
Still, no one answers. He starts to open his mouth. I scrape together a few shreds of confidence to give the blessing I seriously doubt my younger siblings will volunteer for.“I will.” Mother’s voice, louder than I’ve heard it in a long time, echoes from within the walls of her prison wagon.“No—”
Hollis“Fuck,” King Kieran hisses under his breath.I stare into the depths of the prison wagon, rage pounding like a heartbeat through my veins. “Go. I’ll keep an eye on her.”He looks at me for a second, and I fucking know he’s about to ask why. I don’t have an answer. I think I might’ve exchanged
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