All Chapters of Hayle Coven Novels: Chapter 721 - Chapter 730

Book Nineteen: Coven LeaderSo weird, this image of me reflected back from the mirror. I'd wanted cream or even a color, but Mom and Shenka-and all the other women in my life who thought they had a say-insisted on white.I wasn't an angel. But as I stood there, looking at myself in my wedding dress, I smiled.And felt like one.Slow breathing did wonders for the wild pounding of my heart as Mom lifted the lace veil and pinned it to the back of my piled curls. Tears glistened in her eyes as, with trembling hands, she released the fall of soft fabric , the sigh of it behind me like the exhale of all the sadness I'd ever felt. Gone with the excitement of what I was about to do.I fidgeted a little with the skirt of my gown, loving the halter style, the way the dress clung to me in shining folds of satin. While I knew Mom would have preferred to dress me in a princess concoction of froth and poof, I'd won this argument.Mostly because I didn't give her a choice and just went to the

I stood at the back of the giggling line, forcing myself to smile as the girls turned and waved at me. Trill went first, flowers clutched in her hands like a lifeline. I grinned, a real one, at the sound of hooting from who had to be Apollo, her inappropriate brother, and thanked him silently for breaking my funk.Sunny went next, Charlotte behind her. Mom waited with Meira as Shenka strode out with her shoulders back, confident in her high heels.Meira saluted me with her bouquet before heading off after the others. Weird, it felt surreal, almost like it was just Uncle Frank and Sunny getting married again. Except, this time, I was the one in the white dress.Mom took my free arm, not looking at Dad. I looked back and forth between them, heart sad, asking myself for the millionth time if this was worth it.My Steam Union friend, Piers Southway, didn't seem to think love was a good reason to get married. And considering the fact the man I loved the most just walked out without tryi

The Sidhe cavern welcomed us with a sigh of power, embracing me as though understanding we were now one, Liam and I. It was odd to be suddenly in the cool dimness, a vast change from the chattering noise and laughter of the back yard.Liam didn't seem to notice, sweeping me into his arms, carrying me across the threshold of his room, setting me gently down on the bed before closing the door. I felt the wards part, the touch of Galleytrot's power as he arrived, settling in to guard us. We'd already discussed with him our desire to have our first night alone, without interruption.I knew the big hound would do everything he could to give us our privacy.Liam stood looking at me, wonder and a hint of shyness in his face.Seriously? I stood, went to him as he ran his fingers through his hair, blushing again."I love you, Syd." His hands shook as he stroked the veil back from my shoulders."Silly," I said. "I love you, too." I slid my hands under his jacket, slipped it from his should

I walked the length of the throne room at Castle Wilhelm, smiling at the welcoming vampires who nodded to me as we passed. Not the greeting I had initially, back when Batsheva Moromond led the blood clan, when the Brotherhood's taint controlled and manipulated the vampires. It was a nice change, the friendly greetings, compared to "We hate you forever, Sydlynn Hayle."Well, most of the vampires welcomed me. With one clear and furious exception. Piotr Wilhelm used to keep his distance, his twisted heart still aimed right at my destruction. For some reason beyond any understanding, he blamed me for the death of Yvette, his beloved queen. Personally, any ruler who fell to the likes of Batsheva Moromond got what she deserved.This time was different, for the first time. His go-to tattletale recipient was gone, since Council Leader Margaret Applegate's retreat from the leadership and her ties to the Brotherhood ended with conclave. Piotr's frustration shone clear on his face as he took a

I didn't really think she had the right to be so pissed at me, considering the state she'd been in the last little while. And I'd been on the way to rescue her, hadn't I? Not my fault Ameline beat me to it.Sebastian stared at me with open adoration, making me all kinds of uncomfortable as he left his queen to come stand by my side. I could feel it then, now I'd lost my shaky, overly adrenalized moment of joy-joy. How he felt different, his power more like mine.More like a maji.A quick check from my vampire confirmed he was still undead, and yet..."I'm sorry," I said, not really feeling it at all, to be totally honest. At least, for Pannera. But when I looked up at Sebastian, regret raised its ugly head. "I didn't mean to break your blood bond." I thought of Charlotte, spotted her loping back into view, shifting into full human form as she shook her head.Right. Celeste. Managed to escape, it appeared. But watching my werefriend gave me an idea as Sebastian's new power crawled