LOGINHe 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
That’s when I felt it—a small, stiff shape tucked into his breast pocket. I frowned, sliding my hand in and pulling it free.Out came a tiny blue bib.My lips parted in a gasp. “You went to see Nato before me?”Caeson’s grin widened. He snatched the bib from my fingers and shoved it back into his po
BONUS CHAPTER 2.CHARLOTTE“Who else is coming?” I asked Taide over the phone.“Ethan, Tris,” he said. “I’m not sure when they’ll arrive, but I'll come in with Dot and Sean.”“Vance isn’t coming?”“Oh yeah, he is,” Taide replied.“Is he bringing his mom? And Eric?”Taide was silent.I rolled my eyes
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







