I’m not used to walking in heels, so I try the black pumps out a bit before I decide I’ve got enough balance and coordination to fake it. If I take a wrong step, I’ll go tumbling down, though. I am not overly confident. With a final spritz of rosewater, I am ready to go, just as there’s a resoundin
“That’s Queen Agatha,” Rainer whispers. “None of the rest of these people are important.” He bows to the queen, and I do the same. She nods in response, but he doesn’t take me over to meet her, and I’m glad. Instead, he leads me to the other end of the table, and I suddenly realize I’m about to cau
Emory“Who the fuck invited a mangy dog to our dinner party?”Princess Opal’s words hang in the air as the rest of the room goes silent. It’s as if the rest of the guests are all waiting for me to respond to the loud, offensive statement, including Rainer, though I believe he’s just as taken aback b
I’ve never been squeamish, but having seen the state of the feeders’ dungeon first hand, and thinking about how much blood had to have been harvested to feed this many people an entire goblet full… it makes me have to look away slightly.The servant behind me stands with his hand on top of the silve
I am taking a sip of water when the question is asked, so I have to swallow before I can say, “Yes, Prince Jacob. That is correct.” Although, at the moment, I’m not sure I want to claim Bernard as my father.“And how, exactly, did you come to be here?” he continues. “Not at the dining table. I know
Kane If I open my mouth to reprimand Opal right now, a rivulet of curses will be released into the world the likes of which no one has heard before. I have already tried politely, asking her to stop verbally assaulting Emory. When that didn’t work, I ordered her with a mind message, one she clearly
Quietly, she says, “I do.” “But you have different mothers?” It’s more of a statement than a question when Jacob asks. I wonder why he suddenly knows so much about Moonraker pack. He never took any interest in them when we were actively waging war against them. I was on the battlefield nearly every
Lex, who has been unusually quiet for him, also has an completely placid look on his face I can’t quite understand, but I won’t create more problems by asking him why he’s so happy. Instead, I excuse myself from the table, ready to end this catastrophe of a dinner. *** Emory I don’t make it too
MichaelI pace the foyer, running my fingers through my hair over and over again as I listen to the voices of Emelda and Alma drifting down the staircase. Lowe walks in from the kitchen with an armful of firewood, his face drawn with fatigue. I nod at him in greeting as he walks past me toward the
“What did they do to you?” I press. I wave my hand at the mess of jars, herbs, and healing… potions, not just tonics. Actual potions. Potions made by a witch.“What didn’t they do is a better question,” she murmurs, turning away. “Emelda–”“I was a girl,” she whispers over the simmering water and c
MichaelThree hours later, in the dead middle of the night, I stand in the doorway leading into the cozy guest room I brought Faye into what must have been weeks ago. I guess that much time has passed since then. It feels like seconds, honestly. I feel like I haven’t had a chance to catch my breath
MichaelAlma and Lowe speak in quiet tones in the foyer while he helps her into her thick coat. The usual, ceaseless sprinkle of rain has finally turned to sleet–a vicious mix of freezing rain and the first hints of snow that’s going to make the village an icy mess when day turns to night. Lowe pus
MichaelFaye’s room is chaotic. Nurses and the physician crowd her bed to the point I can’t see her through the fray. I push through them, seeing her pale and writhing, arching off the bed in pain. “What’s wrong with her?!” I shout. Faye murmurs, white foam tinted with blood bubbling from her lips
Six Weeks AgoFayeMy slippers pad across the pale marble tiles. I hike up my dress–pink, just like the slippers I spent hours upon hours embroidering with little stars and white flowers. My hair fans out around my shoulders and down my back in my haste to reach my father’s office. Cara, my lady’s m
MichaelI find my mom out in the garden. I had a feeling she’d be here, surrounded by petals and green plants–things that keep her grounded to the nature shifters crave. She’s kneeling, her fingers deftly pulling up weeds–or something. She straightens and lifts her head as I approach, reveling in he
Faye“What are you doing here? I thought you returned to Scarlett Thunder?” Michael gives Cole a skeptical look, but Cole rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his broad chest. His dark hair catches the light and gleams as he replies, “My mother thought it would be best to return a few days before
FayeThe next morning, I wake up alone in the little inn room. Soft gray daylight filters through the curtains, illuminating the rumpled sheets on the bed and my clothing from yesterday still hanging near the fireplace. I blink into the shadows, rubbing my eyes as a figure appears to my left, pulli