LOGINHis 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
BONUS CHAPTER 4.CHARLOTTEDinner was chaotic, fun, and full of joy.The exact way I loved it.The table stretched full with food, plates being passed back and forth, voices overlapping. Ethaniel was in the middle of telling one of his ridiculous stories about trying to fix a fence on his property.
BONUS CHAPTER 3.CHARLOTTECaeson and I were sprawled out in bed, both of us catching our breath.His skin was hot against mine, his chest damp with sweat. I trailed my fingers down the lines of his stomach, letting them settle against the dip of his abs. Just touching him made me feel warm again.I
REIGHI dusted off my boots on the front mat as I stepped into the foyer, closing the door behind me.The house was quiet except for the low hum of the television in the living room. I strolled in and saw Taide idling on the couch, one arm resting over the backrest while his other hand held the remo
I cut into his belly.I knew I did.But... what if that wouldn’t do it?What if that wasn’t enough to kill him?I knew my claws sank deep, carving through flesh and muscle, but fear twisted inside me like a vice, whispering that it wasn’t enough.That somehow, even now, even after everything, we sti
CHARLOTTEI felt like I was floating outside of my body as I rushed away from the care home and into my car.My heartbeat was so loud it rang in my ears, drowning out everything else. I opened the note again with shaking fingers, staring at the number written on it. My phone nearly slipped from my g
CHARLOTTEThe water felt like needles of ice breaking through my skin as I kicked and fought against the weight pulling us down, trying my best not to lose my hold on Taide’s limp body. His weight was heavy, and my lungs screamed for air, but despite the sheer exhaustion rapidly spreading through m







