James' question caught me off guard. "What do you mean?""You know what I mean," he sighed. "Talon took the witness away to talk to him in private the other day. Why?""Because the man was overwhelmed by all the people in the room," I explained."By all the people, or by you?"I knew there was no po
I tried to relax, but I had to wonder if I should start cutting all sugar out of my diet, just in case it wasn't good for my child."You're going to be such a good mother," Seraphine said, finishing her notes and standing to put her medical equipment back in her bag. I knew that meant she was going
"You almost bought the entire store. That's too much!"I exited the store following Soren, who had insisted on buying anything and everything that I looked at for more than three seconds."This is just the right amount." Soren smiled. "I feel good about myself today. Very wise choice.""I'm sorry?"
Flattered by his compliment, I shyly said. "You are far too kind." Then I cleared my throat quickly, trying to pretend nothing had happened, and answered, "Yes, but I was having difficulties deciding which one of these two dresses I should buy.""That's easy." He smiled, and I had a feeling that he
**Ethan's POVThe river was running particularly fast that night as I stood there gazing out at it under the moonlight.I knew I didn't have long. I needed to get back soon. But I had snuck out to catch some fresh air.At least, that's what I had told everyone.I had fully intended to do just that,
The notion made a white-hot fire burn within me.However, regardless of how I felt inside, I had to stay calm in front of everyone."It's getting late," James finally said a bit after midnight. Our definitions of what "getting late" meant had changed now that we were at war. "Let's convene again at
"Alpha Ethan, great news! General Owen was able to hold the line of defense and retake one city along the coast!"My eyes widened slightly. That was, indeed, good news."Does Talon know?""Not yet– I was about to go find him next.""I'll do that. I need to ask him something, anyway."I stretched and
"How the f*ck did she know?" I demanded, shaking the desk. "I sure the f*ck didn't tell her, which means that one of you did!"Vicky began to sob, and Talon stood up– a sign that he was actually challenging me to a degree."Yes, you did," Talon said, his voice still calm, even if he was not being su
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