“Don’t let them break you,” she murmurs into my coat. “You are, and have always been, stronger than you know.”We say our farewells, and she retreats to the rose garden where she has always found solace.Emory is sleeping so she hasn’t been informed. I asked specifically for her to learn once I’ve l
KaneI try not to focus on the worst case scenarios of my brother being held as a political hostage by Scarlett Thunder. I need to hope that King Peter will keep his word not to harm Lex, and I have to trust Lex not to get himself killed before this conflict with Scarlett Thunder is over. This is a
“Growth?” Rainier repeats with a scoff. “Like that time he insulted the ambassador of Ruby Rivers by admitting to the man’s face that he slept with his wife, and she wasn’t good in bed?”“That was a long time ago.” Why I’m defending him, I’m not sure.“Or the time he stole a carriage that belonged t
These are empty threats. Part of the deal of me being a hostage is he can’t harm me, not physically anyway. He can call me awful names every minute of my time here, but he cannot have me killed. King Peter is a lot of things, but he’s not an idiot. Nobody rules for this long by being one.He has alw
LolaI’m not used to living in such a big place. The castle is too big. I don’t know why people want to live here when it takes forever to get from one room to another. I know vampires move fast, so it might not be a problem for them, but I have short legs and climbing all the stairs is not fun.Emo
“You’re too young for that story,” she reasons. “Emory will be upset with me.”“I’m not that young!” I counter. “I’ll be a teenager before you know it. I’m not a baby.”Miss Willow contemplates telling me the story, looking into my eyes before giving in. “All right, but I’m not giving you all the de
“What happened to you after you became a feeder?”Miss Willow pulls away from me, physically and emotionally. “I’ve upset you enough. We shouldn’t talk more about this.”“I want to know,” I plead. “What happened to you when you came to this castle?”She goes quiet, her eyes closing. I wait as she br
EmoryI hear about Lex being sent off as a hostage at Scarlett Thunder from my maids after he’s already left. I don’t get the chance to say goodbye. Lex and I may not have started out on the right foot, but I still feel bad he’s essentially become King Peter’s prisoner. I want to talk to Kane about
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
FayePrince Michael watches as I hook my thumbs in the waist of his pants and try to pull them down. He gently presses his hand against my chest and pushes me back onto the bed, kneeling over my legs. He makes quick work of taking off his pants and his boxers, until he’s… fully naked and… in his ful
FayeI know we shouldn’t be doing this… our bodies flush and my lips grazing his fevered neck. His hybrid heart thunders against my breasts and I’m… trying desperately not to writhe against him, chasing friction I shouldn’t want–shouldn’t need. I almost wish he were still wearing a shirt so my fing
FayeI’m not sure what to do to pass the time. Despite the heat coming from the fireplace, I’m chilled. Rain pelts the window so furiously it sends a rapid pinging sound throughout the room, mingling with the crackling fire. It’s rather cozy when I sit in the single wooden chair near the fire, wrap
MichaelWe stay in the rain for an hour. I walk ahead of Faye but turn to keep an eye on her as she picks her way off the road into an overgrown easement. I’ve lost the scent I was following with Lowe earlier. It was a vampire, for sure. A group, we believe. At least two females and a trio of males
She hesitates when we reach the inn, and I guide us to an outbuilding. She’s soaking wet and nervous when I slip behind a stall meant for the few people who have horses and carriages instead of cars. I shift back to my human form and instantly regret it. It’s freezing, and the sun is going down, cau
Michael gives me a nudge on the back of my neck before sprinting after Lowe. Alma’s eyes go hazy for a moment before she says, “They picked up a few scents they’re going to check out. We’re going to meet them on the road.”Emelda nods, but I’m confused. “How do you know?”“Lowe told me,” she shrugs
FayeA huge brown wolf with jade eyes peers down at me. The top of my head would brush against the underside of his shoulder. He’s just… massive, and I hadn’t expected that. I swallow hard, trembling, as I tilt my chin to meet his eyes. “Oh.” It’s the only sound that could possibly leave my lips o