“Cora... she put something in the wine.” Nan whined out, reaching for me. Her voice was weak and soft.I sucked in a breath, rubbing my thumb against her flushed cheek. I had always known that Cora could be petty and jealous, but I couldn’t believe that she would stoop as low as to drugging someone.
Lionel’s POVI felt the mate bond spark between us as I kissed her, but it lost the connection as soon as I pulled away. I didn't know why it wasn't staying. Why the connection was so brief.I looked down, seeing Nan had fallen asleep while I had been lost in thought. I took in a heavy breath, as I
"I'd like to speak to her." I said, nodding my head decisively."Are you sure?" Lionel asked softly with a furrowed brow. I could see the concern in his eyes from across the room.I noticed the bags beneath his eyes that came from a poor night of sleep. He had been asleep in the chair beside my bed.
Nan’s POVNow that I knew I didn’t want to leave, it was all I could do not to bed Lionel to change his mind.I wanted to stay.I wanted to be with the girls. I wanted to keep the little family I was building. It made me feel foolish, but I wanted…Lionel.It was all I could think about. As I passed
I certainly had no time to think about Lionel or the feelings bubbling in my heart. There was no room for contemplation. It was for the best.Unfortunately, I also had no time to spend with the girls. I always got home too late to make dinner for the girls myself or to do our nightly story times. I
Third PerspectiveNan felt guilty.Her job had only got busier, closer to the wedding. Now she barely made it home. Privately, Nan could not wait for the wedding to be over.Nan had already begun to have doubts about her plan to avoid Lionel. She could see the hurt on his face when she dodged him. N
Nan and her team were in a meeting with the bride. The bride was quite nervous. Nan was quick to provide comfort.“Ma’am, I promise you, everything will run smoothly. We have a good team here. We will take good care of you and your belongings.”The bride said, “I know, I know. Just, please be carefu
Nan’s POVSpeak of the devil and she shall appear.That wasn’t the most charitable of thought to have about seeing an old friend. But I figured I was justified after the way our friendship imploded. Her entitled attitude at the amusement park did not improve my mood at seeing her.But I always tried
Third Person POVIt had been the easiest wedding Nan had ever planned.She knew that she might have been stressed under any other circumstances. Nan had survived much worse than planning her own wedding. So this did not phase her.Scarlett and her sister had been a huge help in that regard.Nan was
He pulled out all the way and then slammed back in. Again and again. It was fast and brutal.I loved every second of it. This is what I had been craving. Lionel at his wildest and utterly crazed for me.At one point he turned me onto all fours. This new ankle only brought him deeper. Making me clenc
Nan’s POVIt should have been awkward.We were on a deserted island. The heavy weight of history of this place resting over us like a dark cloud. Exposed to the elements.It should not have been as arousing as it was.There was something about this that excited me. We were out in the open. Anyone co
I felt sick to my stomach. Everything I had uncovered had hinted at some dark origins. I could not have imagined anything like this.I could imagine it in my mind’s eye. The betrayal from the people they had led. Blood and shackles their new fate.“Only one clan remembered its original purpose. Only
Nan’s POVThis was the moment I had been waiting for.Mr. Holder had allowed us to go home and rest for a while. Correctly guessing that Lionel and I needed time to rest after that ordeal. Neither of us wanted to be far from each other that night.Mr. Holder had requested for us to meet with him at
I let the bond wash over me. Lionel pushes his emotions through. His fear, his worry, his love.I send back my own terrible fear and pain. He takes it into himself. Almost cupping it like he would a wound.There are no true words in the bond. Not really. But if there were…‘Remember…fight…remember w
Nan’s POVMy entire world was aflame.Fire filled my vision. Smoke burned my lungs. I held my breath.The fire licked at my skin. Heated my blood. Seeking to fill the hollow of my bones.The strangest thing was that I was not burning.I should have been. Any normal fire would nave incinerated me. Ye
“Yes?”“If we do this-” She begins.“Nan!” I interject sharply.I am ignored.“-and it fails…what will happen to me?” She asks tightly.He meets her gaze head on. Unflinching. “You would most likely perish.”“See?! It’s too risky!” I growl.Nan is not paying me any mind. Her attention is directed at
Lionel’s POV“Today marks your third trial.”“What is today?” I ask weakly. “Running through the forest…a treasure hunt?”Each trial had gotten progressively more difficult. I had not forgotten the man’s last words to us. Knowing that this would be the worst of all did not inspire much confidence in