The door creaks open and Kane sticks his head in. I smile at him, but the smile he gives me back is forced. “How are you feeling?” he asks me. “Better, thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I just thought you’d be busy, and I could handle it.” He comes to stand next to me, but his hands are fold
Beginning of Book 2EmoryI close my bedroom door gingerly, trying to make the least amount of noise possible. I do think it’s ridiculous that I have to sneak around the castle which I have come to see as my new home. Even when I was a prisoner here, I hadn’t had to be this careful with how I moved
I have my own power.“Were you going to go outside alone?” he asks. “Where are Helga and Nellie?”“They’re busy, and they don’t know I snuck out.” I don’t want to get my maids into trouble so I add, “They wouldn’t have been able to stop me. I was ready to tie up the bed sheets into a rope and scale
He kisses my other wrist. “Emory, think of the baby.”I sigh, knowing I’m beaten. He has to use the baby card. I have only known I’m pregnant for a little over a week, and I’m already being treated with kid gloves. Ever since I told Kane I was carrying his child, he has been acting like I’m as delic
KaneThis isn’t how I imagined proposing to Emory. I have been thinking about the right way and the right time to ask her. This past week, she has been miserable, stuck on bed rest, and I had to run off and deal with an impending war with Scarlett Thunder. I haven’t had the time to compose what I wa
I’m conflicted, and I have to bite my tongue from saying a word as Helga and Nellie help me get dressed for the day. They don’t even know about the pregnancy. Kane and I both agreed not to tell anyone else until I’m past the first trimester. According to the doctor, I won’t even be showing until the
“How are things with the pack?” I ask.“Coit is doing his best, and I’m helping him as much as I can,” Darius answers. “Rebuilding our relationships with the packs around us is going to be a difficult road ahead but not impossible.”“We can’t blame them for being cautious after what my father did, s
KaneThere are times I wonder if I remember a time before I wasn’t constantly at war with a neighbor. I spent over ten years in conflict with Bernard Moonraker for his inability to repay his debts. Now that he is locked up in the dungeon of my castle, I’m dealing with King Peter of Scarlett Thunder
KaneI expect the news of me sabotaging King Myenas’s feeder trafficking operation to reach him quickly. His business partners being present at the meeting means they have to warn him that he’s about to lose a fortune. The moment I arrive back at Castle Graystone, King Myenas is on the phone demandi
WillowI never like it when Rainer comes home injured. The gashes Opal left on him have healed by the time I see him, so there’s no reason to drag him to the clinic to get checked over by Dr. Martin. He tells me that Lex is in worse shape and is being treated by the doctor at Scarlett Thunder. Opal
LexRainer moves quickly, shielding Kane with his body. The sword slices into the dark fabric of his shirt and leaves a large cut on his shoulder. He hisses from the pain and pushes Opal away with his other arm, nearly knocking her off her feet. Blood drips down from the sword, onto the carpet.Opal
EmoryWith the Nightstones all refusing to leave Nightfall until Lydia is woken up from her magically-induced coma, I decide to hold the meeting with all the Alphas at Alpha Gerald’s home. His home is a fortress, and he has the room to accommodate all the Alphas and their entourages. I’ll also get t
Rainer“You son of a bitch, you did it,” I say, still reeling with how Kane has managed to convince the vampire monarchs to agree to his insane plan.“Hey. That’s my mother you’re talking about.” Kane is smiling so I know he doesn’t really take offense. “I’m surprised I got them to agree, too. I tho
KaneI don’t know how much King Myenas is looking into Lydia’s death. I know people have to be talking about seeing Lex flee Carmine Falls with a witch who throws fireballs at guards. Having the meeting with all the vampire monarchs at Scarlett Thunder is a way to deflect that this whole thing isn’t
LexI’m not looking forward to having guests again after Cole’s birthday party. It hasn’t been that long, and the expense troubles me. The royal coffers are still low on funds, but I couldn’t refuse my brother when he asked me if I could host the meeting between the vampire monarchs. I'm surprised K
KaneAs Lex is leaving to go back to Scarlett Thunder, I tell him about the plan to end King Myenas’s feeder trafficking operation by replacing it with my own more humane system. My brother looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. Saying it out loud to another person makes me realize how unhinged the pla
LexNow that Lydia Nightstone is back with her pack, I’m going to head back to Scarlett Thunder. Cole and I have been away for too long, and I have a lot of work to tackle. I’m not looking forward to the paperwork, but that’s part of running a kingdom. There’s always an endless amount of paperwork.