“Oh.” Susie’s eyes widened. “I suppose you wouldn’t have known.” She hung her head a little. “Tensions with the Bear People have more or less exploded. Mark says more and more soldiers are being sent to the northern border. War seems imminent.”I didn’t want to believe that. “Surely there’s somethin
“I don’t understand,” I said. My thoughts were entirely addled. How could Nicholas’s parents not only forgive Bridget for all that she had done but also continue to want her to be Queen? Hasn’t she proven herself unsuitable? Unstable? At least, disrespectful?They had to have known that she slapped
Nicholas, meanwhile, looked down and to the side. He wouldn’t meet my gaze even as I walked nearer to him.“Nick?” I prompted, fear weighing heavy on my heart.“Unfortunately, that isn’t all of the bad news I have to share,” he said.I braced myself. “What else?”“Joyce has somehow escaped.”I gaspe
At first, Nicholas simply pressed his lips to mine, non-demanding. It was sweet, and I cherished it. But it wasn’t enough.With all the bad news now weighing heavily upon us, threatening to drag us down, we both needed the affirmation of the other’s presence and affections. My devotion to Nicholas w
It was difficult while he was touching me like this, but I forced all of my thoughts away from my own pleasure and toward getting Nicholas as naked as me.I dragged my hands up the front of his torso, appreciating every curve and dip of his hard muscles along my way to the base of his throat, where
That night, despite the worries and the fears and the dark murmurs all around us, I was able to sleep soundly, feeling well and thoroughly loved.I was also likely happy to be back in a familiar bed, surrounded by familiar faces.And not everything was so dire. Elva was healthy for the first time in
“The King and Queen decided that, in a matter of fairness for those that did not have a chance to attend the island getaway, one more event will be held before the next elimination ceremony. This will ensure that all candidates will have a chance to showcase their merits before we must send more can
The servant led Nicholas and I to a sitting room where the King stood behind the chair his wife was sitting on. A table had been arranged in front of her, with two teacups and an extravagant silver teapot.The Queen stirred a sugar cube into her tea. The gentle chime of the spoon hitting porcelain w