VioletNervously, I bit my lips as Esther stared at me with narrowed eyes. I felt my pulse quicken. Even though I was technically on time, I knew she wasn’t stupid. Getting caught out past curfew was no small thing, and an automatic strike—a permanent one.Doing this while being part of the team that was supposedly the pride of the school was not done, and leaving the male dorm was just simply humiliating. Barely anyone got caught, but of course—it had to be me.Although I tried to keep my face neutral, guilt was written all over it.“Seeing as curfew has barely ended, I’m just going to assume that you’re not coming back from a walk,” Esther said, her gaze sharp and intense.Slowly, her eyes traveled to my neck, and I immediately hid it with my hand. I hadn’t looked in a mirror yet, but after everything Kylan and I had done last night, I had a great feeling of what it would look like.Esther’s sharp eyes softened as she let out a small, disappointed sigh. “I can give you a strike,” sh
~ That Morning ~KylanAs I got ready for class, I noticed a hair tie on the edge of my bed. I picked it up, chuckling. Puppy had left in such a hurry an hour ago—and it was probably for the best because the last thing I wanted was for someone to see her leaving.If word got around, the next thing you knew, people would assume she was my mate, and once that happened—I’d never hear the end of it. I wasn’t just looking out for myself, but for her as well.My thoughts drifted back to last night, every moment replaying in my mind. I couldn’t shake off how good she felt, the way she had clung to me, the way she tasted, and the soft moans that had escaped her lips as she collapsed in my arms.Yesterday was not like it was with anyone else before—and even though I enjoyed it, it terrified me.My smile faded as I remembered that one horrific thing I had almost done. I had called her beautiful, let myself say things I had never meant to say out loud—and when I felt her neck under my mouth, the
VioletEach time I heard footsteps, my eyes were automatically fixed on the door, hoping it was him.I had been waiting to see Kylan all day. At first, it was out of excitement, but after Trinity’s words at lunch, I wanted to see how he would react. The idea of him with Chrystal, right after I left his room, made me fear that he regretted everything that happened between us—and I was hoping to be wrong.After keeping me in anticipation, the door cracked open again, and this time it was actually him—Kylan. Nate and Dylan were right beside him. My heart stopped for a moment as Kylan’s eyes found mine, like he’d known I’d be waiting.I wanted to get up, walk straight over to him—but I held myself back. Instead, I gave him a small smile, hoping to test the waters. Was he going to pull away again? Would he just brush me off? To my surprise, Kylan smiled back. A warm, genuine smile.He really had some nerve, smiling at me like that after everything I had heard. It bothered me, yet somehow,
VioletMy stomach turned, and I suddenly regretted ever bringing it up. I wasn’t sure what to feel, let alone what to ask—and the words left my mouth before I could think about it.“I-I guess I just wanted to know if…if perhaps I didn’t make you feel good enough last night, or something,” I stammered, cringing at my own awkwardness as the words left my mouth.Kylan’s expression softened, and he let out a laugh, glancing down. I was desperate to look away, but before I could, he stepped closer—closing the distance between us. My heart fluttered as his hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt my knees weaken. Every part of me silently pleaded for him to lean in and kiss me, touch me.Do it, please…But just as I thought he would, he pulled back and turned away.“She did come to my room,” he admitted, his tone casual. “But I sent her away.”Wait, what?Relieved washed over me, but only for a second. He might’ve turned her away this
VioletI leaned my chin into my hand, staring at Kylan from a distance. He was standing with some of the guys of the Elite Team, including Dylan as they were laughing about something.Drool nearly escaped from my mouth as Kylan’s lip curled into his signature smirk that always made my stomach flip.My eyes moved to his biceps as I tried to focus on Trinity’s voice, but it was impossible with him standing right there, looking so…him.Fuck, I was sinking deep.It was around afternoon, and we were sitting at one of the tables outside. For a change, the weather actually wasn’t that bad, and the sun even casted a golden glow over the campus.I had finished Elite training in the early morning, but it wasn’t Rochwall’s training that drained my energy.It was him.I hadn’t spoken to Kylan yesterday, and not today either. It killed me. After our night in the woods and our little moment with the squirrel—who I never heard anything about ever again, by the way—I thought he would’ve at least had
VioletThe ride was silent.Kylan’s eyes stayed on the road ahead, not even glancing at my direction while I shifted in my seat, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt as I tried to think of something to say.“So, I’m wondering…” I began. This time Kylan glanced at me briefly, lifting a brow.“How is my little friend doing?” I asked, testing the waters as I often did with him.Was he going to react like the usual Kylan, or the softer version?He chuckled, his lips curling into a small smile. “The squirrel?”I nodded, returning his smile.“She’s made herself pretty comfortable in my room,” he chuckled, the sound of it warming my heart. I guess he was being kind again.“Even more comfortable than me?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, and my cheeks immediately flushed. Why had I said that?Kylan didn’t answer right away, but a smile appeared on his lips. He looked amused by my embarrassment.“So you’ve never gone out before?” he asked, changing the subject.I shook my head. “N
VioletHe didn’t want me to get lost?To be honest, it was understandable. He was the one who had taken me outside the gates, so at the moment—he was the one responsible for me.I swallowed hard, my face growing hotter.Wake up, Violet—this was not some romantic outing. The guy isn’t even into you like that, doesn’t even want you as his mate.“Right,” I mumbled softly, automatically squeezing his hand. We started walking again, and I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling like an idiot, imagining what it could’ve been like if he didn’t resent the Moon Goddess’ wishes.As we walked further into the market, my eyes darted from one stall to the next. There was so much I wanted to do, that my mind was spinning. When I saw something I couldn’t ignore, I stopped in my steps, pulling Kylan with me.“What?” he mumbled softly.My finger pointed to the small jewelry stand, leading to a shop inside. There was a big sign that read ‘handmade jewelry,’ and I just felt it calling me
VioletChild of my blood?The words sent a shiver through me. I blinked, unsure of what to do—but curiosity got the best of me. I stepped away from Kylan, slowly making my way to the Soothsayer and sank into the chair across from him.Still smirking, the soothsayer leaned forward, and tilted his head, studying me.“Eyes of snow, strength of fire,” he said. Then he began mumbling in a strange tongue, words I didn’t understand. It sounded like an old, ancient language. One I hadn’t heard before, and I was quite familiar with a few.My breath hitched, and my palms got sweaty as I stared at the old man, on the verge of asking him what he was saying—but something held me back. Fear.How old must this soothsayer have been?A hundred years, or maybe even older?Perhaps even a thousand years old?For a split second, I looked behind me, just to check whether Kylan had bailed on me, and luckily, he hadn’t. I stared ahead again, my heart pounding in anticipation as the soothsayer spoke a few mor
AdelaideMy eyes were closed, hands in my lap, as I sat in the temple, trying to concentrate. As always, I didn’t get very far with Violet giggling beside me, interrupting my peace.She was always like this, and it didn’t matter with who—even with my friends who she had only seen a few times. She was just a happy baby.A month had passed since the others started visiting Bloodstone Haven. Every Monday, around the same time, they would come and visit, just like I knew they would today. We would catch up, talk, and they even bonded with Violet. In some ways, it almost felt like old times—even with Elyx, though deep down, I knew better.I just knew he was up to something, and because of that, I lived every day in anxiety—not knowing when all of this happiness would end. One thing I did conclude was that it had something to do with Baelor. Otherwise, there would’ve been no point in Aelius teaching me about the Veil.Some things still did
AdelaideEverything stopped.My breath hitched as I turned to Elyx. Was he serious? My eyes shifted to everyone in the room, but no one dared to say a word—not even James.It had always been like that.Back in the day, he might’ve been the leader of the Elite Team—but even then, no one dared to go against Elyx.Mostly because he was too stubborn and too full of himself.“I don’t know why the two of you fled,” Elyx continued. “I assume it has something to do with your mother, who has been harassing us for years. But Alaric has a duty to his people, and they need him.”I took a small breath.Mom…so she had been looking for me.I wanted to ask about her, about Esther—but now was certainly not the time. Not when he was trying to take Alaric away from me.Alaric let out a soft chuckle. “Then you’ve wasted your years looking for me for nothing because I’m not going anywhere—”“Your father is sick, Alaric!” Elyx snapped.My stomach twisted, watching the shocked look on Alaric’s face. Whateve
AdelaideMy eyes were glued to Claire, my heart pounding in my chest. How could it not when this was the friend I had worried about the most? The one whose validation I had sought the most.Even though she was still breathtakingly beautiful with her golden hair and bright blue eyes—there was something in her gaze that I couldn’t quite place.What did Elyx mean when he said she was right?“Elyx…” Alaric breathed, stepping past me. I followed his movements as he immediately pulled his friend into a tight embrace, still holding Violet in one arm. Surprisingly enough, Elyx reacted instantly.“It’s really good to see you, Addy,” Greg sighed, stepping forward. It was good to see he hadn’t lost his bright smile. His stance was a bit awkward, like he didn’t know whether to hug me, shake my hand, or not do anything at all.From the corner of my eye, I caught Aelius sending the villagers on their way, and since they trusted his word—they all retreated, himself included. Since he had left, I kne
AdelaideLike every morning, I knelt by the creek in the woods, scrubbing the wooden bowls from the temple. It wasn’t because we had to, but because we wanted to.From giving us a place to stay to help me strengthen my powers—Grandpa Aelius had done so much for us, and I guess this was our way of repaying him.Usually, it was just me and Alaric, but for the past five months, it had changed into the three of us.A smile crossed my face, hearing Violet’s soft giggles behind me. I turned my head to see Alaric lying on the grass with Violet on his chest. He was tickling her belly as she squealed in delight.That was one of the best things about her—her laugh.It always brought smiles to many people’s faces as it rang through Bloodstone, and everyone knew it belonged to Violet—the brightest baby around.She rarely fussed, was always happy, babbled too much, always watching the world as if she already had things to say—but most of all, she was so, so loved by her daddy.I let the bowl slip
Adelaide I looked down at Violet, holding her in my arms while lying in bed. She was wide awake, releasing tiny breaths as her big blue eyes scanned the room full of curiosity. She was just a baby, but so observant—something she must have at least gotten from me. That little girl was my world, but each time I looked at her, I just could not stop worrying. Would she grow up safe? Would she have the chance to live a normal life and not feel bear of the consequences of the choices I would have to make? Usually, I had Alaric to break me out of these thoughts, but now it was just me. This was the first time in weeks that Alaric had left our side. He had been extremely attached to Violet since the second she was born, but as kindhearted as he could be, he was back to helping the villagers. Violet made a small sound, shifting slightly, and I immediately held her closer. “It’s okay, princess,” I murmured against her head, rocking her gently. “Mommy’s here.” “Indeed she is,” a voice sp
Two years in Bloodstone Haven…AdelaideIt had been two years since we fled to Bloodstone Haven, and in those years—everything had changed.My days were filled with learning the ways to master the Veil and training my eyes with the help of Aelius, just like we had done when I was younger.Bloodstone Haven had become our home, both mine and Alaric’s, who had adapted well—perhaps even quicker than expected. He no longer looked like the lost prince who had to give up his crown. He seemed like one of us, especially when he would hunt with the men or play with the children of blood like he had known them all his life.Even now, as I watched him carrying one of the children over his shoulder, a smile tugged at my lips. She kicked and screamed in protest while the other children ran after him, trying to save her.Alaric groaned, giving me a pleading look as soon as they started grabbing onto his legs in an attempt to bring him down.“Hey!” He shouted at one of the children tugging at his blo
Adelaide It felt as if the world around me had stopped. I softly clutched my chest, trying to steady my breathing. After sacrificing my position as the next High Priestess, I didn’t have a whole lot to sacrifice, so I didn’t like where this was headed. “The Veil has layers depending on each threat,” Aelius spoke. “The one who creates the Veil is expected to stay inside to keep watch on every layer within the realm.” My heart ached as I realized what he was saying. I would have to give up everything, my freedom, my life…all to keep Alaric, everyone, safe from Baelor. But it would be worth it, I know it would… “If that’s what it takes to keep Alaric safe,” I accept my faith, “then once again—I’ve already decided.” “That’s not all, Adelaide.” There was more? My chest tightened at the mere thought. “Then what is it?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Aelius tilted his head. “Where do you think your strength comes from?” I frowned, trying to think. “From my eyes…from all t
AdelaideI fluttered my eyes open, feeling the bright morning sun stream through the small window. Nothing from yesterday was a blur—I remembered it all very clearly.Mom and Esther, Baelor, fleeing to the cave…A weak sigh escaped my lips. It was officially graduation day, and I couldn’t help but wonder what our friends were doing at the moment.Would they be searching for us?Would that old man, Principal Sterling, have forced them to focus on graduation instead?They must be so confused right now.We had all worked so hard for four years to get to this point—only for it to be ruined by some God of the Underworld, and none of them even knew.But I didn’t care…He was safe. Alaric was safe, and that was all that mattered—My breath hitched, and my head turned in less than a split second. “Alaric?”I patted the empty spot beside me, then sat up straight, scanning the room. My eyes landed on a small note on the nightstand.“No…” I reached for it with shaky hands, expecting to read some
Adelaide Hearing the sound of a loud gasp, my eyes immediately shot open. Alaric’s wide blue eyes locked on mine, his breathing heavy and uneven. Worried, I placed my hand on his chest as it rose and fell. “You’re okay!” Before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around him—not caring if he would return the affection, but he did. He pulled me into a tight embrace. My heart felt a bit more at ease, and tears pricked my eyes at the relief I felt. Alaric holding me in his arms was all I needed right now. His hand moved to the back of my head, rubbing it like I was the one who needed comforting more than he did. “You were never going to do it,” he whispered against my hair. “You were never going to feed me any darkness.” I drew in a sharp breath, realizing what he meant. He knew—he had seen everything through my eyes, just like I wanted him to. “Of course I wouldn’t,” I stated, pulling back to look at him. I wanted to meet his eyes so he could see how serious I was. “