Carol’s POV I’ve been getting ready for three hours now, and it still doesn’t feel like enough. I’ve done everything to prepare myself that I can think of — I’ve showered, done my hair, put on my makeup, slipped into my expensive gown — still, I’m not convinced that I’m ready. I check the clock
Unfortunately, it’s only then that I realize Katrina was also sitting in this circle. She stands up quickly, her chair screeching behind her at her abrupt movement. She’s wearing the red dress I tried on prior to my last choice — not that I would tell her that. She’d probably get angry. Katrina st
Carol’s POV Tension hangs in the air as Aiden’s expression stiffens. I feel my heart drop into my stomach. “Aiden?” I say slowly. When Aiden looks into my eyes, I know something has changed. He presses his lips together. Judging by the triumphant expression on Aiden’s father’s face, he knows som
Carol’s POV I realize immediately his voice has taken on a strange tone — it’s more powerful and resonant than it was before. Immediately, the whispers in the crowd are snuffed out. “Enough with your squabbling. I am the alpha of this family, and I will not be questioned.“ The power within his v
I tense up, this time. I glance at Aiden out of the corner of my eye. I know that he’s being put into an awkward situation — I’m the one that suggested we wait. Thankfully, Aiden doesn’t falter for a second in his response. “Carol and I aren’t in any rush. We are planning to date for a while befor
Carol’s POV I blink. It takes me a moment to realize that the elderly woman is speaking to me. Remembering my manners, I dip my head to her respectfully and offer a polite smile. “Pardon my manners,” I say. “My name is Carol Miller. I’m here as Aiden’s guest. It’s an honor to meet you, ma’am.”
Aiden's POV Carol begins to relax, and we enjoy our snacks together. I can see the tension she’s carried with her all night slowly begin to slip away. She’s even more beautiful with her soft, natural smile on her face. We are just moving on to the champagne when I hear a knock at the door. Immed
Our lips connect in a passionate kiss as our tryst comes to a desperate end. My arms wrap around Aiden’s body and we slowly recover. Both of our chests heave with exertion as we enjoy the feeling of skin against skin for a long moment. I eventually have to ruefully break our embrace. “We have to g
I chuckled as I held back tears.“Sorry,” I murmured, trying to pull back, but she held me tighter.“I’ve missed you like crazy,” she breathed. “How’s life in the empire? I’ve been keeping tabs on you in the media. Seems you are kicking ass as the queen.”Since the inauguration ceremony last year, I
She flinched away for a moment, afraid that the darkness might hurt him, but I had faith that it wouldn’t because it was under her control now and the light in her wouldn’t be dim for the darkness.“It’s okay,” I assured her, bringing Caleb even closer into her view. She stared at him with admiratio
EpilogueAiden’s POV“She still won’t come out of her room?” Fiona asked, staring at the closed suite door with a frown. “It’s been a week since she killed her sister…”“She’s scared,” I told her, cradling Caleb in my arms. “Raelyn’s darkness is inside of her and she’s worried that she’s going to do
She was quiet for a moment while the Queen continued to bark orders in the background. The dark tendrils only seemed to grow more agitated with each passing moment.“Please, call the tendrils off and—”“I can’t,” she said quickly. “They don’t listen to me anymore… they listen to her more than they l
I wanted to believe that there was still good in Raelyn. That the darkness hadn’t taken over completely. I grabbed her arm, and I brought my gaze to meet hers; I wasn’t sure if my powers would work on her, but I had to try. I channeled her mind and when I found a connection, I realized it was weak,
Carol’s POVI used my powers to fight off the guards, using my mind manipulation to make them fight one another and using some of the spells I was taught to ward them off. I’ve practiced with mind manipulation a lot so I was able to do it quickly. I soon had some of them at least turning against the
“It’s not personal darling,” she said, waving off his concern. “It’s strictly business.”“Was any of it real?” He asked, shaking his head with disgust written all over his face. “Did you ever love me?”She let out a bitter laugh.“Love?” She scoffed. “Please… There’s no room for love when I have a n
My entire body went cold when I saw what they were running from. Clouds of darkness snaked through the ground, slithering like snakes. I could feel the cold darkness and the chilling aura that penetrated it.In the distance, I squinted at the figures standing in the center of the town.The Queen.St
Carol’s POV“You promised you’d help me buy a ring for Fiona,” Oliver said as he leaned against the doorframe of my suite. I had just finished changing Caleb’s dirty typer for the 5(th) time this hour when Oliver decided to bless me with his visit.Collectively, we’ve been in the Empire for 2 months