FayeEmelda slams the door shut behind Emory as I run into the suite I share with Michael. The familiar deep blue walls and warm air does nothing to calm my nerves as I whirl toward the women, my dress swirling out around me, feeling suddenly heavier than it had before. “What–what’s happening?” I a
FayeMichael kisses me like it’s the first time we’ve ever tasted each other. It’s gentle at first–a featherlight brush of his lips against mine. It’s like it was before… when we loved each other in secret, when we were ignoring our growing feelings for each other while the world burned down around
EmeldaI find Emory in the ballroom trying to rectify the situation. Blood stains the center of the grand mosaic tiles that cover the ballroom in shades of gray and the deepest gold, but even the dark hues aren’t enough to hide the vampire blood. I wasn’t here for whatever happened, but I heard whi
Lex clears his throat. I’m still facing the door, but Cole turns, his hand not leaving my arm. I lean into him, closing my eyes as Lex says, “An opportunity arose that we couldn’t let pass us by.”Before Emory can cut in again, Kane adds, “King Mattias announced he’d be coming to the wedding to ensu
FayeMorning descends on Crimson Peak. It’s a bleary but warm winter day. Water drips down the windows as the snow and ice melts off the roof of the castle. Dark clouds promise more snow if the weather chills again, and the air smells like ozone as I slip out of bed, blinking blearily into the gray
*Emory* My stomach is tight, like a fist, as I follow my parents up the walkway to the monstrosity of a stone fortress known as Castle Graystone. Lighting illuminates the sky overhead, which seems to fit perfectly with the scene, though it’s not raining—not yet anyway. Something tells me there’s ab
Emory “Take my daughter… to be a feeder.” My father’s words echo around the throne room as I stand behind him with my throat so constricted, I can hardly breathe, let alone speak. I can’t believe the words that have come from his mouth, and by the look on Vampire King Kane’s face, neither can he.
Emory Lola? Lola! The word my father has just spoken fills my head with shock as I try to process what is happening. For the second time in only a few minutes, I cannot believe what my father is saying. My eyes immediately go to the Vampire King who is clearly surprised by what my father just sa
FayeMorning descends on Crimson Peak. It’s a bleary but warm winter day. Water drips down the windows as the snow and ice melts off the roof of the castle. Dark clouds promise more snow if the weather chills again, and the air smells like ozone as I slip out of bed, blinking blearily into the gray
Lex clears his throat. I’m still facing the door, but Cole turns, his hand not leaving my arm. I lean into him, closing my eyes as Lex says, “An opportunity arose that we couldn’t let pass us by.”Before Emory can cut in again, Kane adds, “King Mattias announced he’d be coming to the wedding to ensu
EmeldaI find Emory in the ballroom trying to rectify the situation. Blood stains the center of the grand mosaic tiles that cover the ballroom in shades of gray and the deepest gold, but even the dark hues aren’t enough to hide the vampire blood. I wasn’t here for whatever happened, but I heard whi
FayeMichael kisses me like it’s the first time we’ve ever tasted each other. It’s gentle at first–a featherlight brush of his lips against mine. It’s like it was before… when we loved each other in secret, when we were ignoring our growing feelings for each other while the world burned down around
FayeEmelda slams the door shut behind Emory as I run into the suite I share with Michael. The familiar deep blue walls and warm air does nothing to calm my nerves as I whirl toward the women, my dress swirling out around me, feeling suddenly heavier than it had before. “What–what’s happening?” I a
MichaelI’m not sure what I expected getting married to feel like. In my mind, it had always been a business arrangement with little fanfare and no emotions attached. Now, that’s not the case. I’m a husband. I have a wife who I love, who wasn’t chosen for me based on whatever political alliance was
MichaelI can count on one hand how many times I’ve been in this cathedral over the course of my short life. The dark stone walls echo even the smallest whisper, and the ancient stained glass sends shadows instead of snowy sunlight into the cavernous space. I wouldn’t consider vampires a very relig
FayeIt’s snowing on my wedding day. Snowing hard, actually, as I watch cars pulling around the castle where valets are waiting to greet the guests. The wedding will take place in an hour. An hour. I can’t believe it. My stomach pitches as two maids pull curlers from my hair and dab blush on my che
EmeldaQueen Emory smiles at the spread of vampire-friendly food laid out on a tea-table. Blood pastries and cakes galore sit on pretty little trays adorned with flowers, flutes of blood made to sparkle resting beside them. “Are you not hungry?” she asks as I inspect the spread over the sound of Al