Willow“Bryony never stopped hoping you would come back. And it’s because of her, I will listen to what you have to say,” Ivy declares. “We will speak alone in my home.”Relief washes over me. “Thank you, Ivy.”She raises a hand to stop me. “Only you. He can’t come into the village.”Glancing down m
Ivy’s fingernail traces the rim of the teacup, her expression contemplative. “What else would King Kane be able to offer for this alliance?”“The man that came with me would be able to tell you more,” I explain. “He is King Kane’s right hand man.”“And you are friends with this man?”If I could blus
Rainer presents the contracts we’ve written, and we sign them, Ivy using her magic to make sure I cannot back out of her terms even if I want to. Her magic pricks into my skin like needles. I force myself not to wince until she finishes casting the spell. When all is done, there is a chain of glowin
KaneA few days after the alliance with Willow’s former coven is finalized, Ivy is going to meet up with the high priestesses of covens she is associated with. Surprisingly, she’s taking me with her. When I ask her why she wants me there, knowing how the witches will not positively react to me, she
She leans back against the altar, her hands on the bluestone behind her for support. “What is it you need clarification on?”“I’ve had questions ever since I met Emory and felt the undeniable pull between us. When she became pregnant and she learned that I’m her mate, it seemed to go against everyth
“We do,” I answer. “We need blood to survive, but besides that, we eat plenty of food, even though we don’t need it.”Food is a safe, neutral topic and we discuss the differences and similarities in the food we eat. Vampires usually have access to more expensive food while witches make do with more
LexThe days blur together in that dark cell. I can barely do anything but sleep. Somebody brings me blood on occassion. My ribs are broken, and they are trying to heal, but I need more blood.My nose has healed, and it feels crooked, which will marr my looks forever if I don’t have it reset soon. T
“What-”I watch in shock as she places the needle in her vein, andcrimson blood starts dripping into the bag. When it’s full enough, she offers it to me, and the hunger spurns me on, practically burning my throat. I take the bag and drink, her blood salty and vibrant. After starving for days, her bl
Michael still feels like Cole took advantage of Emelda in some way, shape, or form. I don’t necessarily disagree. But, that was four years ago, and neither of them are willing to share their feelings or thoughts on the current climate of their relationship with us. And, unfortunately, we have to ac
FayeEmelda walks in step beside me, draped in her usual black cloak, her dark eyes narrowed on the brilliant sunset as the last rays of light dip below the horizon. It’s been two weeks since the fire tore through the manor, two weeks of quiet peace that feels almost misplaced. I’m not sure how to
Michael“The second born son of this union will be handed over at birth to King Mattias and his court to be raised in Red River as the rightful heir to the throne,” Dad reads aloud as he paces in front of the windows in his office that overlook the bleak, snow drenched landscape beyond, “to ensure t
MichaelThe emissary to Red River–the real one–isn’t anyone I recognize. He’s tall and pale blond, his red eyes gleaming in the brightly lit ballroom where he and his posse of royal Red River guards have gathered. He scans the group before him–myself, my father, and my uncle, and smiles faintly, hi
I listen intently, watching a myriad of emotion play over her face as she knits her fingers together. “We spent an entire summer sneaking around,” she says softly, closing her eyes. “He’d find me in the garden, in the library, sometimes going as far as to sneak into my room at night. We couldn’t st
FayeStill in the library, I listen intently as Emelda discloses far more than I expected her to.There was a point in Emelda’s life as a vampire that she’d accepted she’d always be alone. Her bed would always be cold, her skin unblemished by a loving touch. She’d never know love again, and for deca
Faye“It really is gorgeous,” Emelda says the next morning while walking with me to the library. She runs her thumb over the massive sapphire ring and smiles faintly, raising her brows. “I think it’s a family heirloom, too. You should expect a load of fine jewelry to follow.”“You know I don’t care
FayeKing Kane is a slightly terrifying man. His presence is all consuming–like he sucks the light out of the room. He doesn’t look his age, like all vampires. The only indication that he’s a senior vampire compared to his son is the faint gray glow around his temples where his dark hair is starting
MichaelI watch Faye run a comb through her hair, over and over. The golden strands shine like golden silk in the pockets of sunlight shimmering through the curtains. Beyond the glass, knee-deep snow covers the castle grounds in a blanket of pure, untouched white. Deep inside, I feel a flicker of m