HollisI squeeze between Candace and her so-called father with a comfortable smile on my face. I’m just sitting down for dinner with friends, I tell myself. They invited me. There’s every reason for me to be here.Hell, it’s not like I’m going to come up with a reasonable excuse for why I’m doing th
She stiffens like I struck her with lightning then turns very slowly. “What?”“Eva wanted me to let me know that if there’s anything you need, she’s there for you.” Smiling at Candace is easy. My face stops feeling like a painful rictus of forced cheer.Her now-dark gaze roams my face, searching for
Candace“What do you think?” Ingrid asks. “The green or the gold?”I study the dresses hanging from each of her arms. The green is a soft seafoam, a frothy thing that makes her look like she’s just stepped off the top of a wave, especially when she lets me style her hair. But the gold, embroidered w
He blows out a long breath and rubs a hand over his face. “Well, repeated dreams about the same shit tend to be some kind of turning point. Major life events and all.”I nod. “But what about this dream? Is there a chance it’s more like a metaphor than anything real?”“A chance? Sure.” The smile he o
With the heavy thump of drums and birdlike trill of some flute, they’re a little easier to ignore. That–or practice.“Dancing first?” Kash asks. “Or would you prefer a drink?”I glance at him. “You’re more comfortable here than I would’ve expected.”His hold on me tightens, but he smiles. “You reall
HollisFuck.As soon as I saw Candace walk in, I knew I was in trouble. She’s dressed like I’ve never seen her before. Tight green fabric cups her breasts and ass like I want to, trailing from the hem up to a loop hooked over her finger to keep her mobile enough to dance. Her hair spills loosely out
Blonde eyebrows lift, and her plush lips part.“I… meant to,” I admit. “I thought it would be enough. Make everyone stop asking about the failed Haze. Give her something to hold onto.”Candace’s face crumples. “Right. Because you’ve made your decision, and she’s going to be your wife. Hollis, let me
CandaceI pace back and forth under the moonlight, the hem of my gown swishing over the grass. Alone.Of course, I’m alone. Hollis has been more than clear—there is no future for us. Throwing myself at him one last time was obviously nothing more than another chance to humiliate myself. Mother alway
Diplomatic tensions are dissolving, he tells me over mind-link. Snowcrest is furious. Other kingdoms are saying that we’re traitors. We have to go.Snowcrest is furious? I ask. Or King Andri?They’re the same right now, he snaps. Anwen’s working with Alpha Cole to dissolve the crowd, so you and I ju
Candace“No!” I shout as I’m ripped away from Hollis. Like anyone will hear me over the chaos the crowd has broken out into.It’s worse than any other ritual—or maybe this is the only one I’ve been in the crowd during. Scents buffet me from every direction—flowers, trees, body odor, stale alcohol. S
But this is nothing like anything I’ve seen her face before. She stayed, stood her ground, stared at us until she saw the mark. Until she realized, for the first time, that we might not be on the same side.Goddess above, I am so fucking stupid.By the time the sun starts to rise, I realize I’ve mad
HollisI lock eyes with Eva. Tears shine in her green gaze. That, I can handle. But the pained pinch of her eyebrows when Candace picks her head up is too damn much.“This isn’t what it looks like.” I yank back from Candace without a second fucking thought.Eva’s gaze drops to my cock, standing at a
He rams himself forward and goes taut. Salty, musky liquid pours down my throat, hot and still tasting of him. I moan around his length and swallow as much as I can.Mere moments later, he pulls back, grabs me, and lifts me into a kiss. His taste blurs between us. I shove my tongue between his lips,
CandaceI pace back and forth under the moonlight, the hem of my gown swishing over the grass. Alone.Of course, I’m alone. Hollis has been more than clear—there is no future for us. Throwing myself at him one last time was obviously nothing more than another chance to humiliate myself. Mother alway
Blonde eyebrows lift, and her plush lips part.“I… meant to,” I admit. “I thought it would be enough. Make everyone stop asking about the failed Haze. Give her something to hold onto.”Candace’s face crumples. “Right. Because you’ve made your decision, and she’s going to be your wife. Hollis, let me
HollisFuck.As soon as I saw Candace walk in, I knew I was in trouble. She’s dressed like I’ve never seen her before. Tight green fabric cups her breasts and ass like I want to, trailing from the hem up to a loop hooked over her finger to keep her mobile enough to dance. Her hair spills loosely out
With the heavy thump of drums and birdlike trill of some flute, they’re a little easier to ignore. That–or practice.“Dancing first?” Kash asks. “Or would you prefer a drink?”I glance at him. “You’re more comfortable here than I would’ve expected.”His hold on me tightens, but he smiles. “You reall