“What do you mean, ‘dark magic?’” Nicholas demanded. I was glad he still had his voice, because mine was totally gone. I had a suspicion that I knew exactly what Veronica meant, but I wanted to hear her say the words. “I mean a curse,” Veronica said. I inhaled a shuttering breath. “It’s possib
Hours passed. Many items were brought to Veronica. Everything from necklaces to teacups to feathers and books. With only a passing glance from her, each item was quickly dismissed. The latest item, a stone found in an odd place in the hallway, was handed to Veronica. “There’s no magic in this,
By the end of the third day of searching, everyone is dead on their feet. Nicholas, Julian, and their men had searched most of the palace, with very few exceptions, like the King’s quarters. Since Veronica said the talisman had to be close, most of the places they had searched would be too far, bu
I could only cry and cry. “I’m sorry,” Nicholas said. “We’re not giving up,” Julian said, louder. “Maybe it’s in someone else’s garments. Which room is next door?” “Jessica’s,” Charlotte said. “With me, then, Charlotte,” Julian said, and the two rushed out of the closet. Nicholas stayed wi
I handed the photo to Veronica and she held it out over Elva’s body. She began to chant, but they weren’t words I recognized. Sparks flickered in her hands. Purple-blue flames fanned out across the photo, and then twisted down toward Elva. “Elva!” I gasped and started forward. Nicholas gripped m
It didn’t make any sense. Unless Jane was trying to cut out that part of herself that loved Elva. Maybe she saw Elva as a weakness that needed to be purged. Gods, either way, it was just too sad. Not just for Jane, who had truly become a monster, but also for Elva, who nearly became a victim of he
A few days later, all of the candidates were called into the foyer for another of Nathan’s meetings. By now, Elva was fully recovered, although very angry that I would not let her leave the room. “There’s a bad guy on the loose,” I said. “It’s too dangerous for you until that person is caught.”
I relaxed as best I could, letting the kiss happen for the cameras. Julian’s lips were soft on my own, gentle and non-demanding. It was a kind sort of kiss, and for that I was grateful. Though I would still have to remember to tell Nicholas not to watch the broadcast tonight. He’d made clear that
Instead, the Queen pulled me into a hug. It was uncomfortable and brief, but a hug none the less. From the Queen, this was a tremendous breach of decorum, and I froze, unsure how to react. Even Nathan, standing dutifully as his King’s side seemed shocked.“I have misjudged you dearly,” the Queen sai
I wasn’t sure what to expect when our car delivered us from the train station to the palace, but even in my wildest dreams, I wouldn’t have guessed what actually awaited us.Cheering crowds lined the outer walls of the palace. Balloons and streamers of various colors were abundant. A stage had been
At once, my heart leapt up into my throat, while simultaneously crashing down into my stomach.I pulled away from Nicholas enough to push myself up onto my hands and stare down at him.The thought of breaking the engagement had never crossed my mind! Nicholas proposing had been one of the best momen
In a war between the wolves and the bears, only the lost bear princess will be able to stop this fighting. Else, the bears will continue to fight themselves to exhaustion or to death.“It’s up to you,” Nicholas said. “I believe in you. You can do this.”I closed my eyes. Miracle was still exhausted,
Slowly, my grief subsided for now, enough for me to look up at Nicholas and feel the relief of being reunited with my fiancé.My… mate.“I love you,” Nicholas said. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to reach you.”“How are you even here? It’s impossible for you to have found me this quickly?”Nichol
Joyce, despite his best efforts, was not a fighter. He was not bred for war and battle like Hawke was, so even calling on the power of his Alpha wolf, Hawk tossed Joyce aside like he was a sack of potatoes.However, Joyce did show amazing tenacity, and stood back up time and time again. Roaring, he
Nicholas was here. I didn’t know how. I didn’t know why. But he was here, and that gave me the strength I needed to act.I ripped my arm away from Joyce’s hold and rushed into the room where Hawk was choking my sister on the ground. Using all of my strength, I plowed into Hawk.My surprise more than
We slipped into the hallway easily enough. The lights were off, so we stuck to the shadows. We didn’t go far when we started to hear raised voices.“I want to know if Piper was telling the truth.” It was Jane.“You cannot mean to trust her more than me,” that was Hawk. His cold voice sent shivers ru
A mating bond…?Yes. Even though Nicholas and I had never talked about the love between us, I had still felt it grow over these months together. Nicholas had never made a bonding bite on my neck, yet inside of me, that bond had cultivated. Our hearts were bound together, mating bite or now.There wa