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
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,
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
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
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
“What?” Ingrid scowls. “You’d think assassinating your own father would be enough to prove that you didn’t agree with him. Throw Mother in the dungeon with Hollis, when we get around to that stage.”Anwen winces.“We’re not throwing Hollis in the dungeon,” Kieran says tightly. “Not least because, in
CandaceI sit at a makeshift table in the center of Kieran and Raven’s tent, surrounded by people with various claims to being my family, all talking over each other about the mess I’ve made. Even Kash, my father, is here, for reasons I might never understand.“She didn’t do anything wrong!” Ingrid
“I couldn’t fucking tell you.” I wipe my mouth on my bare arm.“Give me one good Goddess-damned reason why not.” His voice is sharper than I expect, and I glance at him.Zain and I have always been close. Having an actual guy friend was useful growing up, but every time something actually important
Hollis“We will not discuss this in public.” Father scowls at the chaos of the crowd then turns and storms out.Like a dog on a fucking leash, I chase after him with the rest of the Snowcrest delegates. My ears are ringing, my heart’s damn near pounded itself to mush against my ribcage, and my eyes
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,