MaeveThe camp was nothing more than a few large canvas tents spread out across the beach above the tideline. I sat next to Cleo around a small fire, hugging my knees to my chest as we watched the skiffs dart around the Persephone in the high tide, looking for leaks."The ship is definitely floating
"I think I should go to bed now," I said, not likely the look that had passed between Troy and Cleo. A wave of fury washed over for no reason, my mood changing abruptly."I'll join you in a—""No," I said to Troy, the word coming out harsh and slightly cold. I cleared my throat, mumbling an apology
Troy"Look at that thing," I said to Keaton as we pulled the skiff to shore once again, the high tide beginning to retreat as we dragged the skiff onto the beach. I tied the rope to the stake above the shoreline, double checking the knot before looking back at the dog, who was following Maeve around
I shifted, wobbling a bit as I pawed the ground, testing out my hurt arm. Well, now it was technically my leg.Robbie came up beside me, his deep chestnut coat shining in the soft sunlight coming through the canopy of the trees.Duck was staring at us, his eyes wide. He was trembling slightly, his t
Maeve"They should've been back hours ago," I exclaimed, turning towards Myla, who was equally as concerned."They're probably fine, Maeve," Keaton said, but his eyes and posture betrayed him. He was getting nervous too, especially now that the sun was beginning to rise over the water."I'm going to
Duck skidded to a stop about an hour later. He looked around nervously, then began to whine. Myla and Pete looked at each other, then sniffed the air, whining to alert me to some smell they were picking up on that was new, and possibly shouldn't be there.Myla suddenly reared, tossing me off her bac
Rowan"We're not that far from the castle, Rowan," Dad said sternly as he bent to tie his boots. He looked up at me, catching my annoyed expression."It would be faster if we shifted—""And show up naked to confront whoever's in the castle right now? No, I think not."He did have a point.I surrende
"Search the castle, find him."The warriors ran into the castle, going in several different directions as they spread out. I stood next to Dad, looking down at the woman as she laid against the floor, her eyes fluttering."He's not here—" she said weakly, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth,
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