Spencer's POV“You can’t stop me!” I want the words to sound menacing as I glare my mother down, but no matter my intentions, I find myself sounding far more plaintive than I’d like to. Still, I set my jaw and continue to meet my mother’s gaze, narrowing my eyes at her. “I’ll kill him,” I growl at her. “One way or another, I’ll kill him. Whatever you’re trying to do right now, it won’t last. I’ll get to him eventually.” My words feel like they’re losing their weight, though, as the guards behind me continue to bring Colin to the dungeon. Colin catches my eye, and his expression isn’t one of smugness or gloating–he looks relieved by his escape from certain death. I scowl bitterly. He’s going to be down there now, locked in the very cells where just earlier today we incurred a prison break. We still haven’t had a chance to reevaluate the security system, so who knows what he could possibly get up to–Was this his plan all along? Kill my father, get sent to the dungeon, and then brea
Ivy's POV“He’s somewhere over here.” I look back at Delilah as I speak. As her lips are pursed, and her brow is furrowed. We’re wandering through an unfamiliar wing of the palace–I’ve never seen this area before, but as she looks back and forth, she seems more and more unnerved. It’s like she’s confirmed our destination in her mind, and she’s not all that happy about it. I don’t know where we’re going, but I can feel the strength of the mate bond Spencer and I share. It stretches between us like a rubber band. The farther apart we are, the more we yearn to snap back into one another the way we’re always supposed to be. “Are you sure about that?” Delilah asks me tentatively. She takes another look around the halls. “Why would Spencer be near Colin’s room? He hates–” Suddenly, Delilah’s face flushes, and she looks away. “Um. Never mind.” I raise an incredulous eyebrow at her. “Colin’s room is near here?” I repeat, glancing back and forth.We’re certainly in a wing of the palace mo
Spencer's POVBefore I can respond to Ivy’s question, my mother’s voice rings sharply through the air. “Don’t tell her anything!” She snaps. Ivy frowns, tilting her head in confusion. I can almost feel the gears in her mind whirring. Ivy is a smart girl–she’s certainly figured out by now that something unusual has happened in the palace. And I can tell that, after everything she’s been through, she has absolutely no interest in being kept out of the loop. I want to tell her what happened, for her own safety. My father was killed within these very walls–any member of the Lycan Royal Family, or anyone with proximity to us, could be the next target. “Go away, Mother,” I snap at her, rolling my eyes. “You’ve done enough damage here.”My mother huffs. “I’m trying to protect you, and this family! Which she certainly isn’t a part of.” I can see the irritation flashing in Ivy’s eyes, but she bites her tongue for now. “I’ll deal with this myself,” I say to my mother, dragging a hand down
Ivy's POVI can hardly believe I’m holding Spencer’s hand. It’s such a small thing to get emotional about–I’m carrying his child, for Moon Goddess’s sake. And yet, as our fingers remain twined together, I can feel my heart beginning to race ever so slightly. We’re holding hands. Things might be a mess between us right now, and I have no idea what our future is going to look like. But we’re holding hands. “You shouldn’t come with me, Ivy,” Spencer says softly. His gaze is still fixed on Delilah up ahead, but I can tell that I’m the one with his attention. “I don’t know what I’d be getting you mixed up in, and–I mean, the Lycan King is dead. The most powerful man in the kingdom. If he could be killed…” Spencer trails off, but I can hear the unspoken words lingering on the tip of his tongue. I could be killed, too. Me and his unborn child–both of us, gone in one fell swoop. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but my mind starts to whir. As upsetting as the Lycan King’s death was, ne
Ivy's POVOnce Delilah makes her way into the dungeon, Spencer and I have to wait several minutes in order to follow her without her noticing. “What do you think is happening between Delilah and Colin?” I ask. “I don’t know,” Spencer admits, shifting back and forth. “I… I heard them talking, awhile back. I think Colin was trying to talk her into starting an affair, but that’s just how he always is, I guess, trying to take away anything that belongs to me–” Suddenly, remembering the context of his words, Spencer realizes the impact of what he’s just said/. His piercing, endless gaze settles on me, waiting for my reaction. I cross my arms over my chest and raise an eyebrow at Spencer. I know what he’s referring to–the way Colin flirted with me back when Spencer and I were together. Sylvia filled me in on Colin’s behaviours and patterns. I know that Colin was just trying to rile Spencer up. “I don’t belong to you,” I tell Spencer. “And I never have. But you think Colin has been tryi
Ivy's POV“Why did you come?” In every interaction I’ve had with Prince Colin before, he’s carried himself with a very distinctive demeanour. There’s a forced swagger he tries to bring into everything he does, although he’s trying to paint himself as the picture of nonchalance. A memory strikes me all at once–Erick had a younger brother, I recall, and as the second son, he always had something to prove. Colin’s long messy hair and untucked shirt, the gleam in his eyes, his arrogant flirtation with me… it’s all an act. He’s second best, and he knows it, and he’s spent his whole life trying to convince everyone that it’s not real. But as Colin looks at Delilah, he approaches her slowly, walking towards the end of the cell until the two are standing face to face through the bars. Delilah’s hands are wrapped around the wrought iron that separates them. Colin raises his hands so they’re just above hers, but he doesn’t touch her at all. For once, there’s nothing disingenuous about him.
Ivy's POVThe moment I hear the words pass Delilah’s lips, my heart begins to race. If Delilah really does have feelings for Colin–if she truly mean everything she’s saying right now, if this isn’t just some sort of scheme or deception on her part, if marriage is even something on both of their minds–That could mean Delilah doesn’t really love him. That could mean Spencer doesn’t really love her. Maybe there’s hope for us yet. My heart begins to race as my mind whirls with all the newfound possibilities. With Spencer and Delilah’s wedding set for the Summer Equinox, a date only days away now, I’d all but figure I’d lost Spencer for good. But maybe that’s not the case anymore. We could be together again. We could make it work. We could raise our child, our children, together. It’s possible. It’s really possible. Taking note of my sudden racing heart and quickening breath, Spencer glances over at me. “Are you alright?” He asks, raising an eyebrow. My face burns. I can’t tell h
Spencer's POV“So what’s going on between you and Delilah?” Ivy’s question catches me abruptly off guard. I raise an eyebrow as I turn to look at her. “What do you mean?” I ask, doing my best to keep my voice steady. “We’re engaged. It’s really quite straightforward.” Considering my father was murdered, it’s more important to me than ever that I keep Ivy safe. No matter what. “Alright,” Ivy says slowly. “But you just–I mean, you knew Delilah for a while before the two of you were engaged. And we were together. And we were… fine, I guess. And then, all of a sudden, you were engaged.” Ivy draws in a breath, and I can tell that the pain of remembering what happened between us is getting to her. It hurts me every time to know just how much this whole mess has affected her. She deserves to be loved, and protected, and cherished. She deserves to know what’s going on. I wish I could do that for her, but now most certainly isn’t the time. “But you don’t seem to care about her, I guess,
Ivy's POVWhen I see Elder Jet rise up behind Spencer, claws poised for a deadly attack, it feels as though the entire world freezes. My breaths, already crackling and ragged and drenched with blood in my failing lungs, seem to stop. I’m aware of my heartbeat as a dull pulsing in my eardrums, but it suddenly slows, a distant ringing in the back of my mind. The pain wracking my body for all of its fiery hot intensity seems to shrink itself down into a tiny parcel. All at once, Spencer is the singular focus of my world. I can feel the panic surging through me. What do I do? What can I do? I can’t say anything—if I opened my mouth, blood would pour out in thick rivulets, and I feel like I’ve swallowed a great many shards of broken glass. My vocal chords are damn near torn. I know I’d just rasp, a gasping sound that would only intensify the weight of Spencer’s focus on me, and Elder Jet’s attack would land true. ‘Think,’ Venetia says softly in my mind, a gentle urge. ‘This is it, Ivy.
Ivy's POVI think I can feel my last breaths rattling in my chest. I don’t know how much longer I have left at all. I thought I’d be long gone by this point, if we’re being really honest. I feel like I’m mostly gone—my vision has gone completely, since I no longer have the energy to keep my eyes open, and I can barely breathe at all. My heartbeat feels like it could stop any moment. I’m aware of the pain wracking my body, that red-hot agony tearing me apart. It sizzles and simmers on my skin. It feels like it’s tearing me apart. But at the same time, I can’t feel anything at all. I know there are things I should be feeling. Grass beneath my body, maybe. The blood that’s seeped into the soil. The grime and metal residue on my skin from having been locked in that cage. I can picture all of these things, in a vague, spun-out way. I can remember what they'd be like. I can simulate the feeling. It’s not the same as actually experiencing it, though. ‘Please, Ivy, try to hold on,’ Venet
Spencer's POVI can feel Elder Jet watching me as the life slowly ebbs from my body, and I want to tear his eyes out. He’s smirking down at me, lips curled into a sickening grin. I grit my teeth as I look up at him. I think I could stand up if I wanted to, maybe land a couple weak blows, maybe draw a bit of blood, but what’s the point? I’d rather save my energy for when I know I’d at least have a fighting chance at getting something done. “Your army is failing,” Elder Jet says to me, crouching down by my side. “Or rather—you failed them, didn’t you? Because you weren’t strong enough, weren’t smart enough, weren’t able to do what needed to be done. I suppose losing Ivy rattled you even more than I would have anticipated, hm?” He chuckles, a bitter, rasping sound. “You can’t even begin to imagine how glorious it feels to get everything you ever wanted so perfectly laid out for you.”I’m still trying to reach out to my centurions, hoping to rally them and their troops to battle. But ag
Spencer's POVElder Jet’s cold laugh chills me to the bone. “My, my, Prince Spencer,” he says smugly. I can see him towering over me, can feel the droplets of my own blood pooling into the ground below me as the silver mist works its way into my skin. “I thought you’d at least be able to put up a better fight than that!” “A prince’s pride is often his own undoing,” comes the witch’s voice, prompting another wave of revulsion to come over me. “So I can’t say I’m particularly surprised.” I let out a ragged cough, droplets of blood splattering out this time. That can’t be good. My chest burns as small drops of silver continue to worm through my skin, and the sizzle of my flesh on fire combined with the iron tang in the back of my throat makes me want to puke. I want to speak, want to form words, but it feels like my vocal chords have been severed and drenched in lighter fluid. Reinforcements. We need reinforcements. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Gamma Everly, Alpha Leo, and
Spencer's POV“I really did try to warn you.” The witch’s words are nonchalant, spoken with a sigh as she tucks the silver spray back into one of the pockets of her dress. She watches Gamma Everly, Alpha Leo, and Wilson carefully as the silver spray begins to take effect. A shiver of revulsion runs through me as I realize what’s happening. Their pained, piercing screams fill the air as they all swat at their skin frantically, as though they’re being stung by a swarm of bees. Those little droplets of silver mist, innocuous and beautiful as they seem, appear to be burrowing into everyone’s skin. I can see little pinpricks of blood running down every inch of exposed flesh–even Gamma Everly, who’s encased almost head to toe in her heavy red armour, has blood on her face as she tries desperately to rub the spray off her face. The smell of overcooked meat fills the air, and my stomach turns. Small wisps of smoke are rising up from the site of everyone’s exposure. Gamma Everly, Alpha Leo,
Spencer's POV“Step away from them!” Gamma Everly’s voice is strong as she levels her sword at the witch’s chest. Even in the pale moonlight, her red armour seems to glow, almost illuminating her in a crimson halo. The blade’s edge is wicked sharp, and even just looking at it makes my skin feel a twinge of sympathetic pain. Her eyes are cruel and hard as diamonds as they bore right through the witch’s skull. But the witch only lets out a calm, melodic laugh as she trails her fingers along the sides of the small silver bottle she’s just procured. Alpha Leo and Wilson exchange concerned looks as they stand behind Gamma Everly, prepared to back her up the moment she needs it. “Gamma Everly, please don’t be so foolish,” the witch says with a sneer. “And tell those men to stand down, too. Ivy and Spencer are dying. There’s nothing you can do to save them. I can take you down in an instant if I want to, but I figure I should do you the courtesy of sparing you that pain now.” “Not a chan
“I love you.”Ivy’s final words to me ring in my ears like gunshots. I hold her close, I kiss her forehead softly, I do everything I can think to do because I can feel her slipping away. Her body is so small in my arms, so frail, and I can tell I’m losing her, and then–Ivy’s strange, dreamed-up world flickers in and out of view, alternating between the woods and the battlefield outside of the barracks. All at once, she’s not in my arms. I don’t know where she is, but I’m lying on bloodstained grass and I can hear the fighting all around me and my throat feels like it’s on fire. I’m awake now. This isn’t a dream. It hits me all at once, the crushing weight of realization–if we’re not inside Ivy’s mind anymore, if we’re not intertwined in that beautiful place where we could avoid the rest of the world, that must mean Ivy wasn’t able to sustain the connection for any longer than she did. And considering the poison she’d swallowed, considering the undeniable consequence of that…She’s
Ivy's POVIt takes me a good couple of moments to realize I’m not dead. Death, I’d always imagined, would be cold. Distant. Disconnected–and that’s only if I’m aware of anything at all. But as my eyes slowly open and I continue to hear the overwhelming cacophony of war all around me, it slowly dawns on me that I’m not, in fact, dead. The pain hits me a couple moments later. In my mind, it had been a nagging sort of reminder. But all at once, my throat is burning like it’s been doused with acid once more, and blood keeps dribbling down my lips. The overpowering iron taste is enough to make me want to throw up, but I do my best to hold it back. The feeling of bile against my already-shredded throat would no doubt push my already-excruciating agony to new, unimaginable heights. I’m trembling from head to toe. My entire body feels weak and limb, barely within my control. It’s hard to feel much of anything beyond the pain, really. How am I alive? I should be dead. ‘Hang in there, Ivy
Ivy's POV“Loving you is the best thing I ever did.” Spencer’s hands in mine are soft and warm and reassuring. He feels like coming home. Like relaxing. Like finally letting myself feel peace. I look at him, and my heart flutters. He’s going to be the last thing I ever see, and I couldn’t have chosen a better view. “Thank you for telling me,” I say to Spencer. It feels as though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but for so long, I’ve been clinging to the notion that Spencer left me because he wanted to. Because he could. “I wanted to tell you sooner,” Spencer admits. “There were so many times… but then there would be people around, or Delilah would interrupt me, or–did you know she told me she’d explain the whole situation to you herself, so no one would be suspicious and think the engagement was false? That was her entire reason for me to keep it a secret! All so the rest of the world would believe that Delilah was my mate, not you.” I