Gemma always cleaned up well, and I wasn't surprised when I caught Ernest trying his hardest not to stare at his mate's ass while we arranged ourselves for a group photo.Hanna was standing next to Rowan, dressed in a floor-length amber-colored gown that looked like a flame. It was an incredible col
TroyI had lost Maeve in the swell of the crowd an hour ago. Around me was a sea of finery, moving in the rhythm of a string quartet. I had never witnessed such luxury, and a large part of me hoped I wouldn't be expected to hold parties of such a size when Maeve and I inevitably moved to Avondale an
I nodded, wishing I had pockets to tuck my hands into to stop myself from fidgeting. "Only bad things, I hope," I said without thinking. The man, who was introduced as Silas Evermore, a prominent businessman with ties to the Alpha of Breles, laughed heartily. "To be sure, to be sure." Silas took a
"Why would you trust me, given my background?" It was the question I had been asking myself for months, ever since the moment Maeve had forgiven me for tricking her, for lying. Ethan and his family had supported me with very few questions on the matter, and now the entirety of our kind seemed to be
Maeve"Where the hell is he?" I asked Myla, who was leaning against one of the columns in the ballroom, looking a little flustered herself. She was dressed in an insanely flattering sea-green colored gown, the same color as the silky ribbons woven into her braids. She shrugged, tilting the remaining
"The boys are just fine upstairs. Master William had a bit of a fuss but settled down once he was placed in bed with the others," she told me softly, clasping my dress and reaching up to adjust my immaculate updo."He doesn't like being alone," I said with a somber smile, a wave of guilt washing ove
He was fumbling beneath my skirts, trying to free himself from the many layers of fabric. I helped him out, worried for a moment he would tear the fabric.He jumped up, exhilarated. His hair was a mess, and I fought with him for a moment as I tried to flatten it, but his curls were impossible."I lo
He wore a very smart sea-green velvet jacket over his starch white poet shirt, and his skin-tight trousers were tucked into boots polished to such a gleam I imagined a person could see their reflection clearly in the leather. Every single finger had a ring on them, and he wore a hoop earring in one
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