AudreyThe drive back to Edwin’s mansion was silent, the tension from the disastrous dinner still hanging heavily in the air of the car. I huddled under the blanket Edwin had thrown over me, my teeth chattering despite the car’s heater blasting at full force.In the backseat, Peter and Eliza sat qui
Peter, too, was still awake, his easy demeanor having returned as he lounged in an armchair by the fire. I found myself studying his profile in the flickering firelight, noticing once again the lines of tension around his eyes and mouth.He looked so much like Edwin when he was like this. Sharper fe
EdwinI had awoken with a start, the remnants of a half-dream fading quickly from my mind. The living room had been quiet, the fire still crackling merrily in the hearth. Eliza had been lounging on the other end of the couch, her blonde hair spilling over the armrest.But Audrey was gone. So was Pet
But I hardly registered her words. All I could focus on was Peter, standing there with that infuriating smirk on his face.“You want her for yourself,” I hissed. “The second you heard I was mated to the Silver Star, you tried to swoop in. Is that why you came tonight? Why you ran to her in the fores
AudreyThe second I had smelled their blood, I had run. Eliza had stepped out of my way without a word, letting me bolt into the house. My hair had billowed behind me, my boots tracking wet snow onto the hardwood floors. I’d pounded up the steps, my hand clamped over my mouth to hide the sound of my
“That’s not true,” Edwin insisted. “You’re the one thing holding me together.”“You say that, but I’m having a harder and harder time believing it lately.”“Oh, Audrey…” Edwin gathered me close, pulling me against his chest and rocking me gently. His familiar scent enveloped me, but it did little to
EdwinAfter comforting Audrey for a little while, I eventually left her and made my way through the quiet house. I didn’t want to let her go, but I had a promise to keep, after all.I found Peter standing on the second-floor balcony, leaning against the railing and staring out into the night. The or
I was quiet for a moment, considering his words. It didn’t come as much of a shock; I was pretty certain that even Malakai and Axel, in their own way, despised our father. But none of us, not even Peter, had ever said it out loud. Except for maybe Eliza.Then, slowly, I said, “Maybe there is somethi
“I think you’re going to change so many lives,” I said to Eliza. “Those kids are so lucky to have you.” Eliza looked down, her cheeks pink. “Thank you, Audrey. Really.” Tina piped up next. “And my LGBT counseling department is finally off the ground! ” She paused, leaning into my mother, who was
Audrey After a long flight, we finally touched down in Italy. The sunlight streaming in through the plane window was a promising golden hue, and just the sight of it made me feel like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. “I might need a nap when we get to the villa,” Edwin yawned, shaking
And as I watched, I felt a hand slip into mine. I glanced up, finding Edwin beside me, his gaze focused on the runway but his approval humming through the bond. My mother stood on my other side, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. A lump rose in my throat, and I couldn’t even speak. None of us c
Audrey Edwin and I emerged from the small room, his hand still resting protectively on my back. The hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations immediately hit us, assistants running back and forth, models being ushered into position, and the soft hum of the audience’s chatter drifting through t
“There’s always time,” I whispered, grabbing the wrist of his free hand and pulling it close to peer at his watch. The movement caused him to topple forward, and he caught himself on his other palm, caging me against the hard wood of the vanity. “But maybe not enough time to waste right now.” Edwi
Audrey Before I could even answer his question, Edwin rushed past me and locked the door. When he turned back to me, he was grinning from ear to ear. The sight of that mischievous look on his face made my breath hitch. Once, it had been like pulling teeth to get the man to smile. And now here he
He didn’t need to tell me twice. I tore into the wrapping paper, revealing a soft red scarf. I could tell immediately that it was handmade—there were more than a few uneven stitches, and the outline was lumpy. It was far from perfect. But I loved it all the more for that. “Goddess, Edwin,” I laugh
Audrey The morning of the show was a frenzy. No, more than a frenzy. It was complete and utter chaos. I spent the entire morning from sunup to noon running endlessly from one end of the venue to the other, desperately trying to make sure every last detail was perfect. The racks were lined with c
“Uh… Yeah,” Malakai said. “Coffee would be nice.” A few minutes later, the three of us sat around the table, steaming cups of pitch black coffee in our hands. I kept it bitter, just in case Malakai was here to stir up more shit. It burned a little going down, but I sipped it anyway. Malakai look