KaneQueen Olga leads us to the adjoining throne room. At a long table sits the majority of our allies, old and new. Half of them have been ruling before I was even born, and the other half came into power with me around the same time. There are a few new faces, no doubt hoping to raise their cache
“How are we supposed to believe you when you say you never touched Princess Opal when you clearly can’t keep your hands off any whore that comes your way–” I move before I even think about it, getting up from my seat and rushing toward King Matthias to grab him by the neck and slam him against the
I’m always tired or unwell. Some days, I can barely do anything but lie in bed. I feel like an invalid as my body betrays me. I’m not used to feeling so weak, and it frustrates me. “I keep wondering why I don’t have that pregnancy glow they talk about,” I tell him. “I feel like a wilting plant. I lo
EmoryI am so sick of bed rest. I’m bored out of my mind, and I miss the outdoors. As I’m about to enter my second trimester, I feel worse by the day. Helga and Nellie hover and ply me with calming teas. They fluff the mountain of pillows I lie on and cater to every food craving I have no matter how
“You have me.”I smile. “Yes, but your job is to be a kid. That’s all you have to do. I take care of you.”“King Kane takes care of you?”“He does,” I reply. “He’s the king. He is supposed to take care of everyone.”I know that Lola still feels wary of Kane. I can’t blame her, and I expect it’s goin
Queen Olga wants to meet her. The old queen is fascinated with the woman that has managed to ensnare my heart. I’ve managed to hold off the vampire woman until after Emory’s gives birth as the trek up to her kingdom is a challenge for most people. I know I can’t hold her off forever, but I will try
LexSomething is happening at Castle Blackmoor. The servants are hard at work cleaning and decorating the entire place. Food is being brought in along with a new batch of feeders. The biggest significance is the large amounts of blood. I can tell when a party is being planned.Opal has been feeling
“You’ve always been too charming for your own good,” Kane tells me. “You could make a friend even in such a place with bad weather.”“If you’re suggesting I’m a whore…”“I would never say that.”“You’re thinking it.” The silence from Kane’s end makes me roll my eyes. “I will see what I can do about
Fractured memories of the night I nearly drank myself to death careen to the forefront of my mind. There was a woman. I don’t remember her face or her name. I was so far gone with drink and self-loathing that I gave in to whatever kind of attention and stimulations she had to offer. It was consensua
ColeThe letter came in the dead of night, rain-soaked and smeared, but I’d know her handwriting anywhere, in any condition. She’d written that she needed to see me, urgently, that it couldn’t wait, and she couldn’t explain why, not in a letter, not at the risk of what she needed to tell me going pu
EmeldaIt’s a quiet night. A long, silent walk from the castle. I needed this quiet, this stillness in the late summer air. Ravenfell comes into view beyond the trees, twinkling in the darkness. I smile, shaking my head as I look down at my shoes. I can still feel the weight of the twins in my arms
MichaelI haven’t been to Scarlet Thunder in… years. I didn’t realize how long it’s been until I pulled up to the back of the castle, somewhat startled by how small it looks compared to my memories from my childhood. Not that it's a small castle, but I'm much bigger now. I step out of my car, my fac
Faye“Oh, Faye, this is beautiful,” Emory says as she walks around the wide room on the second floor of the newly constructed manor. She runs her fingers over the pale blue and pink floral wallpaper and white trim, her jade eyes sparkling as she takes in the lace curtains and soft cream carpet. “I l
EmeldaIn the week since the twins were born, I’ve been busy with the final touches on my cottage. I spent days this past spring digging in the front garden, planting herbs and vegetables, and fixing the front path. I hired a group of shifters to replace the roof and update the inside, installing ne
Emelda“Thank you,” I say, hurrying at a near run as a maid takes my cloak. The castle is buzzing with nervous energy but remains quiet with even the maids tiptoeing around, trying not to make a sound. I’d remained in Ravenfell for the birth. I spent all night and most of this morning at Alma’s hou
FayeSomething’s wrong. Something has to be wrong. “You’re doing great. Keep pushing, Faye. You’ve got this,” Alma says, her face glistening with sweat and determination while I roar in pain. Michael clutches my hand, his other hand bracing my inner thigh as I bear down with all the strength I hav
Michael“It could be hours–or a day,” Alma says quietly as she arranges her tonics on a table just outside the bedroom where Faye’s finally getting some rest. “It’s been hours already,” I tell her, motioning toward the window in my suite in the castle where moonlight drifts through the panes, casti