Shock and disbelief still filled me when I woke up the next morning.The room was dark thanks to the light-blocking drapes. I stared at the ceiling in vain. My eyes were tear-stained and swollen from the amount of emotions I had let escape me.What Ethan had said the night before played over and ove
**Talon's POVAfter I put away the last pile of files I needed to handle today, I sat down by my desk, watching the pouring rain outside. My thoughts drifted.The conversation with Ethan hadn't gone as I had expected the other night.I tried several times to make him reconsider, but he was now more
"Please, Talon... For once, think about her. You both have already caused her so much pain. Just let her have this… Please don't tell him she knows."Taking a deep breath, I nodded my head, not saying another word.Vicky hesitated for a moment before quickly turning and walking out of my bedroom.Th
**Rosalie's POVThe days seemed to pass in a blur after I got the confirmation from Vicky about Ethan's secret plan.And as much as I wanted to lay here day after day and cry my eyes out – I couldn't.Vicky and I had talked things over. Even though she didn't tell me as much, I knew she had confront
I had been quiet and timid my entire life, always scared of everyone around me.For once, I wanted to do something for myself.Plus, what was Ethan going to do about it? I was pregnant with his child.----------**Talon's POVNever did I expect for Rosalie to speak to me in the way that she had.I h
**Rosalie' POVLunch with Georgia and Vicky was lovely - being able to do the things I wanted to and not having to worry about following anyone's orders was lovely.However, the joy vanished as soon as I was by myself. My mind could not escape from the thoughts about Ethan.How could he be so cold-h
I looked back at him firmly and made up my mind to assert my new outlook on life."I don't need a babysitter all the time," I said. I saw him raise his eyebrow but pressed on. "I am capable of getting to places unaccompanied.""You are pregnant, and you need to be safe!" he gritted through his teeth
My tears welled up again, but this time, not because of fear. I wiped them away.In an attempt to explain my abnormal behavior and to make peace between us, I murmured, "Sorry… my hormones just are all over the place."----------**Ethan's POVShe quickly wiped the tears off her face and said, her v
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