Ethan didn't say a word, but I could hear his footsteps, leisurely yet graceful upon the wood floor.Then the entire room fell into darkness.He had turned off the light. A sensation ran through me, but it wasn't fear. It was excitement.The room was now only dimly lit by the fireplace and candles.
No! This wasn't right! I shouldn't have felt this way…I felt ashamed of myself for my pleasure, but I couldn't control myself. It was as if my body had checked out from my brain and was operating on its own.Through all the mess and chaos, my soft moans admitted the desire within that I refused to
Particles of dust danced against the rays of light that filtered in through my open window. I opened my eyes slowly, still feeling disoriented.What happened to me last night? Yes… I took the pills, then Ethan came, and then…We had sex. My first time.Memories started to flow back to me. It was lik
She nodded her head, seemingly happy with my answer, then turned towards the door. "I'll have something brought up shortly. You get some rest, Rosalie."And with the last of her words, she disappeared from sight, and I was left to curl up in the blankets that still smelled of Ethan, relishing in the
**Rosalie's POVAfter the night I spent with Ethan, I had expected to see him again, but I didn't.He never once came to visit. There was no compassion, no concern, no want or desire from him.I was nothing more than a task – a tool he needed.I was sure how I was going to be able to get past all th
I hesitated, scared and unsure. I didn't want to cause trouble by complaining."I just.." I paused for a moment. "I miss going outside… to the village."As soon as I spoke, the door opened, and Talon walked in. He was gentleman-like as usual — polite, distant but safe to be around.Had he heard what
I could try again...She said it could still happen…"How many more times…"I knew my voice could barely be heard, but I still asked. Then I regretted my question immediately. How could she possibly answer that question?The memories of his touch flooded my mind, and the idea he would touch me again
Hearing what I said perked him up slightly, but I could still see irritation."This was the last thing I needed to worry about on top of everything else, Talon.""I know, but the good thing is that at least now we have a better timeframe," I replied, trying to make him less angry about the situation
The entire family had gathered in the dining room and was chatting amiably over a very impressive spread that had been laid out by the kitchen–two prime rib roasts, a honeyed ham, and three roast ducks were the centerpieces of the table, all of which were being enjoyed liberally by everyone.George
RowanMom ran her fingers across Selene's head, admiring her fine white hair. She looked every ounce the doting grandmother instead of a ball of uncertainty, like Maeve. Maeve was pacing back and forth near the fall wall of my bedroom, her arms folded across her chest and her head bent as she tried
Kacidra joined in the conversation. "Maeve is right, Rowan. We need to know what's happening with you and Hanna, or else we'll never be able to help."Rosalie's voice was calm and supportive as she asked, "Is it Hanna that's troubling you, son? Is she doing all right?My first instinct was to tell t
Gemma and Ernest had flown down with my parents and their son George, who was just two months older than Maeve's sons.A moment later, the library door opened and more of our family members poured in, as if they were fully aware of the thoughts I'd just had and I'd summoned them. I pushed aside my n
RowanThe castle was abuzz with its usual day-to-day activities. Servants and maids passed me in the hallway carrying baskets of laundry and trays of tea. I could hear the clattering of cookware as I left my office and walked toward the grand staircase off the foyer, seeing the door to the servants'
"Who? What happens?""There's so much more out there," Mara said dreamily. "So, so much more.""Maeve!" Troy called from down the beach.I turned to look at him, and when I turned back to Mara, she had taken off. "Wait!" I called after her, but she had already made it out of earshot, her footsteps l
Best of all, Troy was happy. He was at peace and at home. But there was still much work to be done.We were spending several weeks jumping from island to island, taking stock of the wellbeing of the inhabitants, and making a list of what was needed. Most of the islands were in need of medicine, inf
Maeve–Four Months LaterSuntra was not what I was expecting. I had become accustomed to the seemingly endless white-sand beaches of Avondale, where the sand grit was so fine it felt like powdered sugar as you walked barefoot in the surf. Suntra's sand was coarse and golden and dappled with tidepool
I straightened up a bit, shifting Oliver's weight in my arms as I narrowed my eyes back at him, sizing him up. A man roughly my father's age came bounding out of their house, waving at me apologetically as he leaned to whisper harshly in the ear of the man I assumed was his father.Whatever his son