LOGIN"Hi, little thing," he murmured.She blinked up at him, unbothered.Taide hadn't moved an inch from Reigh's side.It went on like that for a while — the room full and warm, Madeline perched on the edge of the bed beside me, Myrcella having forgiven the Barbie slight enough to come press herself agai
CHARLOTTEThe door barely had time to finish opening before Madeline was through it, Sean a step behind her with Myrcella pulling at his arms and a look on his face that said he'd given up trying to manage the pace of this reunion approximately three floors ago.Reigh came in after them, and then Ca
His daughter made a small sound.Taide took it as aknowledgement. A gentle knock at the door interrupted the quiet.It opened a crack, and Madeline's face appeared, eyes enormous, hair somewhat dishevelled, barely containing herself. She looked at Charlotte first, then at Taide, and her expression
The massive room was dark and so quiet it pressed against his ears. The curtains were drawn, the lights turned low and amber, making the flower arrangements on the dressing table catch the warmth of it.He slowed without meaning to, the quiet pulling it out of him. His eyes found the bed.Dot sat
He loved those boys like they were carved from his own chest.But this.This was different in a way he hadn't prepared for.And it was terrifying."Hey." Reigh's voice came quieter this time.Taide slowed."Come sit down.""I can't.""Then stop walking and stand still for a minute. You're making me
The waiting room on the ground floor of the palace had never felt smaller.Taide had been pacing it for forty-seven minutes. He knew, because he'd checked his watch every three of them."Taide.""I'm fine.""I didn't say anything," Reigh said flatly, from the cushioned bench by the window. He had on
CHARLOTTEMy father’s funeral came after.It was quick––Unremarkable.Between the endless calls I had been getting from funeral directors, priests, and cemetery staff—people arranging a service I never planned—I expected a larger crowd.But there was no crowd.Just me.Just Da’ana.And a priest, his
The restaurant seemed to freeze in time at the realization that the Kings in waiting had just casually strolled into the space.So many slacked jaws, a good number of forks frozen midair.By the time they made their way over to me, my back was probably coated in sweat. But I ignored it.All of their
CHARLOTTEONE YEAR LATER“You’re looking radiant!” I squealed.As Madeline sank into the velvet chair opposite me at the restaurant, I let her know just how good she was doing, vocally.“Well, I have something to show you…”“What’s that?” I asked.She shifted her dark hair out of her face as she pul
Untimely was a stretch.“How can you prove that justice motivated the cause of your actions?”I caught myself saying, “I have the letter that was left for me at the care home. I even have witnesses there. They know he took the kids out before everything that happened.”Sean’s father forced his gaze







