LOGINNatashaI 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
AvaThe next day, I call for two guards to accompany me on horseback to the territory of Settora. It would be faster to run in wolf form, but with the Sun Warriors’ return, wolves have targets on their back.I’m also not excited about having royal witnesses for my journey, but the extra protection i
But he hasn’t stayed in my room alone with me since he comforted me after my lashings when I swear we almost kissed – and would have had Ava not interrupted us.It’s a little thrilling to feel like we’re not trusted to be alone together. It probably is on Ava’s request, but sometimes I like to imagi
“Yes, that’s where I keep getting stuck.”Diego straightens up, blowing out the candles on his desk. “Well, let’s take a look at the map.”I stop my pacing to stare at him. “We haven’t solved my problem yet.”“We will, baby, don’t worry. I just need a distraction while I let it marinate. But if you
OwenHow could I have gotten things so entirely wrong?I think back to the day Ava and I met. The intoxicating way she smelled. The pull I felt toward her like fate’s hand was guiding me.Never in my life had I felt that way before. I haven’t felt that way since about anyone else.Why would I have e







