Novels by Zainab Ajayi

Sometime later I woke up slowly, my mind foggy until a rhythmic, blunt friction against my leg pulled me fully into consciousness. I didn't move, I didn't even breathe. I was pressed against something solid and radiating heat, my body angled in a way that told me I was no longer on my side of the bed.I blinked my eyes open, staring into the shadows. My heart stopped.At some point in the night, the distance between us had vanished. I was practically on top of him, my chest flush against his side and my leg hooked slightly over his hip. I felt the coarse linen of his undershirt against my cheek.Then I felt it again. A steady, subconscious movement.Eilis was still asleep, his breathing deep and even, but the "beast" wasn't entirely dormant. His dick was hard, pressing firmly against the bare skin of my inner thigh. With every slow breath he took, he shifted, a low, instinctive hump that dragged the heat of him against me.The terror I’d felt earlier was joined by a frantic, dizzying

Two days had passed without any issues, or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.The routine was starting to feel normal, which was the most dangerous thing of all. I woke up, let Calani paint dress me up, and sat through meals where Eilis and I played the part of the devoted couple. But the moment the sun dipped below the horizon and the private wing doors shut, the performance ended. Eilis would disappear into his study or his own quarters, and I would be left alone in the massive, cold bed that was supposed to belong to both of us.I was walking through the gallery, trying to keep my head down, when Denis caught up to me. I was somehow jealous of how Denis manages to look happy almost all the time. And today he also looked to be having the time of his life, his face split by a casual, boyish grin. He had a way of moving that didn't belong in this stiff, cold palace, he swung his arms and leaned into spaces like he owned them."You know, Raven," Denis said, falling into ste

The memory of my brothers laughing about the "beast’s snack" and Calani’s crude remarks about the Prince’s size flashed through my mind. Back then, it had been a terrifying joke. Now, it was a question about my dignity."He bit me to save my life," I said, the lie tasting like copper. "The King wanted proof of the bond. Without this, I’d be dead and you wouldn't be standing here alive.”Mirabel flinched, pulling her hand back to her chest. The relief on her face was ugly, it was a sharp jagged thing she couldn't hide. She was horrified for me, yes, but she was also clearly glad it wasn't her skin being marked."I remember what Ricky said," she murmured, looking away. "About the 'beast' wanting something unripe. I used to stay awake at night wondering if Father knew he was sending you to be mauled."I scoffed, “Of course he knew," I said. "He just didn't care because he didn't consider me part of his children."Mirabel looked like she wanted to cry, but she didn't have the right. She ha

I pushed the door open and shut it quickly behind me, my heart hammering a rhythm against my ribs that I couldn't slow down. I had told Eilis to let me see Mirabel alone and I was glad he agreed. How could she even be here when I received her letter this morning?I didn't even look toward the bed before I saw her.Mirabel was standing by the window, her hands knotted together in the fabric of her cloak. She looked exhausted, the fine silk of her traveling hood pushed back to reveal hair that was tangled from the wind.She turned when the latch clicked. Her eyes went wide, tracking me as I moved into the center of the light. She just stared at the heavy silk of my dress, the gold weight of the necklaces, and the thick layer of makeup that masked my skin."Raven," she whispered.I didn't move toward her. I stayed near the door, my hand still resting on the wood. "What are you doing here, Mirabel? How did you even get past the gates?"She didn't answer the question. She stepped forward, h

Eilis stood up from his seat. “Raven, come with me. There's someone I'd like you to meet.”I stood up quickly, knowing this was an opportunity to leave Aria’s presence.I followed him as he led me towards the densest part of the crowd. He walked towards a man leaning casually near one of the marble pillars. The man was looking too relaxed for someone standing in the king’s celebration hall.Tall, broad-shouldered, blond hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. Gold eyes flicked toward us and brightened immediately as they landed on Eilís.“About time,” the man said, grinning. “I was starting to think you’d abandoned me for court politics.”Eilís snorted. “Camden, behave.”Camden’s grin widened as his gaze slid to me.“This,” Eilís said, and there was a subtle shift in his voice, “is Raven.”Camden inclined his head respectfully. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”I raised an eyebrow to match his energy. “Only good things, I hope.”He laughed, “Depends on who you ask. Which tells me you’re

The red silk was heavy and stiff. Calani spent a long time pinning my hair up, her fingers moving fast while I sat there with my mind elsewhere. The letter was gone—burned in the hearth—but the words were still stuck in my head."Don't fidget," Calani muttered, adjusting the high collar. "You need to look like you belong at that table.""I'm trying," I said. My ribs still ached every time I took a deep breath, a reminder of the chase.When I finally walked into the Great Hall, the noise was the first thing that hit me. It was the sound of hundreds of people eating, drinking, and shouting over each other. The King sat at the center of the high table. Beside him was a young woman I hadn't seen before. She looked young, with the same sharp features as the King, watching the room with a look of total boredom.Eilís was already seated. He looked different in formal clothes—stiff and uncomfortable. He was staring at a silver goblet in front of him like he wanted to break it. As I approached