EmoryMy mother tells me about what happened to Bernard before we arrive in Moon Grove. His body is transported in a separate car as we make our way back to my hometown. I’m too numb from shock and the millions of things I need to focus on other than my father’s death. Bernard, until the end, is cau
“He gave us you, Lo,” I add. “That’s another good thing he did.”“In spite of himself, Bernard managed to make good kids,” Coit says. “We’re his legacy. The best thing he's ever done."My mother nods. “He’s wronged many people and made many mistakes. People will remember him for what he’s done and n
“How many?”“Around two thousand.”I close my eyes in relief. I can work with those odds. We might win this war after all.“I love you,” I tell her. “And not because you brought me an army.”She smiles. “I know, and I love you too.”We have to leave the tent so I can greet all the Alphas. I’ve met t
LexThe girl lies limp on the dungeon floor. I’ve drank more than I meant to this time, and I feel her blood running through my system. Since she first started to visit me a few days, she’s returned several times, and my body has begun to heal itself. My ribs still feel tender as the bruises fade ar
The eastern gardens are filled with grotesque antique statues King Peter’s ancestors had commissioned or taken from other kingdoms they conquered. They are covered in vines and moss, largely forgotten by the gardeners some of which are trimming hedges and tending to flower bushes at the moment.I s
She grip my shirt with her sharp nails. “Don’t go. My father’s men will hunt you down like a dog.”I pull her hands away from me. “Not if I get out of this cesspit of a kingdom first.”“Lex!”We both turn to see Jacob walking briskly toward us. He’s carrying a sword in one hand. Oh shit. Now I reall
LexThe sword hits the wood of the shovel, digging into the weathered wood. Jacob’s blue eyes glare into me. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone hate me this much before. The ferocity with his attacks tells me that he truly wants to kill me. This isn’t just a mean boy wanting to pick on someone. Ja
“What are odds, Rainer?” he asks.“They could be better but they’re not dire now that we have the shifters with us. We have the strategy with the witches which gives us an advantage.”“Hold the fort.”I nod. “Hold the fort.”I leave Kane to mount my steed. Porthos is calm and steady underneath me, b
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