He drops his hands and looks down at me, that smile still on his face. “Donut-print pajamas?”“Yeah,” I say, putting my hands on my hips, grinning down at them, quite proud. “What, you don’t think I look delicious?”“Oh, what I think doesn’t really matter, does it?” Anton says, his voice dropping lo
I break out of my surprise in about half a second and sneer at Orion, gripping the door tight and swinging it hard, trying to slam it shut.But Orion’s too fast – his broad hand is already there, smacking hard against the wood as he laughs.“Princess!” he says, forcing the door open despite my attem
“I will,” Orion says, giving me a nod. “Tonight.”My mouth falls open a little as he turns back towards the door.“I’ll send your Herald for you at about six o’clock –““Wait, what the hell is going on!?” I sputter, striding after him as he pulls the door open. “What are you –““I’m taking you on a
When I get out of the shower a long, contemplative time later and get myself into some leggings and a sweatshirt in which to spend the day, Anton shifts back into his boy form and comes to stand by me as I comb my wet hair at the vanity.“So, I take it you’re going to go on your date tonight?” He ra
I laugh as I blush and turn to glare at him. “Why do you say things like that?”He smirks. “To make you do that,” he says, gesturing towards my cheeks. “All of these clothes are black and grey and hunter green, June. It’s nice to see some color on you. Pink suits you more than you think it does.”I
The place that Nic vanishes us away to is…gorgeous. By far the most stunning place that I’ve seen since I’ve been here. High stone walls are built on two sides of us, covered in dark ivy and the strangest purple climbing flowers that seem to glow in the moonlight.And then, spreading out in the othe
I purse my lips, already prideful, already willing to defend myself to the end for keeping this from him even though I’m well aware that I’m in the wrong.“Whoa,” Orion says, looking between us in surprise. “I’m – um, sorry about that? I…was unaware that that was a secret. I mean,” he smirks a bit h
“W-what did your mother say?” I whisper, staring at Orion, a bit awed.“That I’d meet a fascinating young woman,” he murmurs, lifting his drink to his pretty mouth and taking a sip before leaning forward towards me, holding my gaze the whole time. “Who was as beautiful as she was brave. Who wasn’t a
“No!” she sputters out, stumbling a few steps towards me, shaking her head so hard her pretty blue-green hair flutters out all around her. “No, Junie, don’t make me go! I want…I want to stay here! And help! I mean…” she bites her lip. “It will be nice to be able to visit home. But I want to stay wit
“I’m sending you home too,” I say quietly, doing my best to look each in the eyes. “I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed that you didn’t get the wish.” They murmur a variety of responses back to me, most of them relieved. One by one they step forward and I take their ha
“Does…” I whisper, my eyes still fastened to Orion as my eyes move over him, feeling the powers that radiate from him now. “Does that mean you have all of the powers of Darkness too? From…from the wish?” “No,” Orion murmurs, looking down at his hands and flexing them, experimenting with the feel o
Beatrice is the last to go, staring at me in shock, realizing finally that she bet everything on the wrong horse. I bare my teeth at her, fangs extended, and Beatrice’s eyes go wider as she trembles and finally submits, going to her knees and bowing her head. “Good,” I say, my voice returning to n
Laila’s knife sinks deep between Death’s shoulder blades and the final scream of a God fills the air as Death falls to his knees. The magic stops mid-stream, like a tap being suddenly turned off. I groan and tilt forward against Anton, who catches me and holds me against his chest. “Shit, June,”
“Just a little longer, June. She’ll do it.” But what if she doesn’t? What if…what if I’m inches from oblivion, and this is it? My heart strains in my chest, my wolf shaking like a leaf from snout to tail. But still, I will myself to hope. To trust in my friend. “I know,” I reply, letting my ey
I gasp, my shoulders trembling under the sheer weight of Death’s magic that flows over and around us, my shield barrier straining and buckling under its might. “June,” Anton breathes, eyes wide as he looks up at the magic streaming over us in an unending torrent. “Shit – are you –“ I crouch besi
The wish presses against Death for a moment and then sinks into him, dissolving into his chest. He sighs with happiness and what looks like ecstasy, tilting his head back to the sky as the magic disappears into him. Beatrice steps away, tucking her hands behind her back, beaming at the God she jus
Before I can get more than three steps after Laila, Anton lunges forward, his paws landing on either side of me as he snatches at the back of my gown with his teeth, holding me back. His fierce growl reminds me that I need to stay here – that Death took Laila because he wants me to come rushing onto