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
FayeAlma and Lowe’s house is a little rough around the edges, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from a building nestled in the depths of a five-hundred year old village. It’s decorated tastefully, however, and I find myself grinning with delight as she shuts the front door behind us, my gaze swee
FayeQueen Emory walks around the circular platform where I’m standing, trying not to move an inch. A seamstress and tailor shuffle around me on their knees, pinning the hem of what will eventually be a wedding dress meant to cause envy, I think. Emory watches their progress like a hawk as she come
ColeMichael turns from me, clutching a goblet of blood in his hands. He drinks deeply before setting the glass on a nearby table and runs his hands down his face, pinching the bridge of his nose. I’ve never seen Michael like this. Yes, he’s normally high-strung and serious, but ever since he signe
MichaelNight falls on the castle again. The days have started to blur together since I’ve been here. When I had my own home in the village, I was a step removed from the goings-on at the castle. I had a barrier between me and the business of the kingdom, but now I’m… knee deep–no, shoulder deep–in
FayeI hug the cloak to my body against the frigid wind whipping across the field just beyond the castle grounds. Hurrying up another hill, I crest its peak and see the faint lights of Ravenfell sparkle into view. I have no idea why I came out here. Running from Michael like this isn’t going to hel
MichaelThe forest expands ahead of me, the trees casting long shadows in the silver moonlight. I might be going insane–because there’s no way that vampire is still alive. She can’t be. I’d barely made out of those mountains myself. But her scent was there, just beyond the castle grounds, far too c
MichaelAlpha Harold watches as I sink into an armchair across from the raging fire in the hearth. He holds me a glass of whiskey, his eyes holding mine for a second before he turns to settle on a stool beside his mate. I find this entire situation–this man, this pack–alarming. “How long have you
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