Se connecterNatashaI step out of my tent, fully dressed for the day, and nearly run smack into Sebastian. We both pull back at the last second, and I feel highly aware of close we came to touching.“Sorry,” I mutter.“My fault,” he mutters back. “I was just coming to find you.”I raise my eyebrows in surprise.
Owen“What the…” Diego sputters out as I slam the door behind us. I’ve brought us into the music room which is empty save for a smattering of instruments.I stare Diego down more intensely than I mean to. “What of Natasha?”My brother seems immediately on his guard. “What of her?”“Did they believe
Owen“Isaiah,” I call from the threshold to the library. The first shelf has been completely redone, and its sisters line the walls in various forms of completion.One of my most trusted guards, the one who befriended Amelia, the one who I struggle to be near for the way he reminds me of her, approa
NatashaI don’t stay at the campfire for long after Carolina and Missy are dragged off to bed by the man I found out is their uncle.I didn’t have the heart to ask where their parents are.“I think I’ll get some sleep,” I say as I stand. I’m surprised when people I’ve just newly met through Carolina
Sebastian’s smile grows impossibly wider. “Of course. You don’t have to ask my permission to talk to her.”“That’s what I said!” a male adult a few seats away says. He must be their dad or otherwise guardian.“Yeah, but,” Carolina says, glancing nervously at me again. She lowers her voice as she ret
NatashaDante was brought back to the kingdom this morning. He spent one night in the First Quarter, and warriors took shifts watching over him as he slept.Sebastian and another Sun Warrior I don’t know bagged him at dawn and walked him back to the Red Forest to find his way home. I wanted to go wi
AmeliaI am in a darkness so complete I could convince myself I was dead. Except I’ve been in this darkness before.Though this is my first time traveling it alone.I think I’m nearly to the end of the secret tunnel. Isaiah’s screams stopped a long time ago, urging me to turn back, to help him, even
“I’ll take first watch,” Erin offers.“This is making camp?” I question in surprise.Erin sighs. “Got used to life in the palace, did you?”Her words flood me with shame. She’s probably right.I keep my mouth shut as I lie down, curling up on the forest floor like I did the night after Owen marked m
Amelia“State your name and species,” a familiar voice prompts me in the darkness.“My name’s Amelia, and I’m human.”Silence stretches as if those surrounding me are having a silent conversation that will determine whether or not I live to see the sun rise.“Just like you, Sebastian,” I add.The so
AmeliaFor those who have never experienced it, you may be interested to know that walking through uneven terrain when unable to see your path is extremely inconvenient. I stumble countless times, kicking roots and rocks, actually falling to my knees four times before Sebastian takes to walking besi







