Violet“Alpha Nightshade,” the alpha hissed, voice dripping with contempt. “I believe we have unfinished business.”The crowd parted slightly, all eyes turning toward the confrontation. I reached Theodore just as Olivia stepped aside. The two noble sons didn't move. This close I got a better look a
“I’ve got this,” I murmured.She hesitated, then inclined her head slightly, stepping back.I turned back to the Alpha. “I want to be clear, having everyone here as witness,” I said. “You came all this way to demand that I take responsibility for your daughter and her unborn child, and if I don’t, y
TheodoreThe alpha’s throat bobbed. His eyes watching me warily. It would be no contest. His daughter was barely breathing.I looked at the girl, softening my tone.“Regardless of what happens to your father,” I said evenly, “you’ll be given a chance to finish your education and build a future for y
I clenched my fists, but before I could speak, his gaze flicked to Violet.“And you.” His grin widened, falsely sweet. “Do you really think you’re better off with a man who sleeps with children than the man who simply had a lapse in judgement in the throes of passion?"A growl rippled through my che
Theodore"Coward," I snarled, though the sound of my voice seemed to echo through the hall.The room erupted into whispers, scandalized and disgusted at Rylan's words. Even those who had backed Rylan seemed to recoil.Violet’s voice cut through the noise, cool and sharp. “You disgrace yourself more
“Enough.”The glint of steel flashed in the dim light.Violet stood in his path, the point of her dagger pressed firmly against his throat. Her eyes burned with fury, lips curled in disgust.“Let her go, or I will slit you from navel to nose.”The man froze, his breathing ragged. A single bead of bl
VioletAs I led her through the quiet halls of the castle, away from the crowd and the weight of their judgmental stares. Her fingers clung tightly to my sleeve, as if letting go would send her spiraling into oblivion. I could only imagine that to her it felt like it would.She sniffled, trembling b
I smiled and gestured for him to turn around. He grinned and gamely turned around, arms spread and striking a cocky pose."It's adequate."He laughed, throwing his head back. "You wound me."I sighed, sinking onto the edge of the bed and pulling off my shoes.“This can’t keep going on like this… Yet
I dropped the trowel and frying pan next to the baseball and bat, shaking my head at this makeshift arsenal. “My baby is already too smart for its own good.”Bennett opened his mouth to respond, but he was interrupted when we were distracted by Theo suddenly vanishing into thin air. My cousin and I
Violet’s POV“Just try.”It didn’t matter how many times I explained to Bennett that Auntie had said the baby’s magic would sway my magic toward more innocent manifestations. He wasn’t convinced.Theo was on the other side of Marcy’s backyard, fists clenched, gaze unfocused, as he tried to complete
Theodore’s POVI was searching the archives’ computer for anything related to forehead bands when my phone rang. My phone screen showed, “Aunt Lillith”. Adding her to my contacts with the title of “aunt” was partially an affectionate and respectful decision, but mostly it was to avoid Eva’s wrath in
Violet’s POVPart of me wondered it not worrying Theo was an excuse. If the years with Lucas not being the partner I needed had subconsciously trained me to stay independent. To never lean on anyone, even temporarily, because they couldn’t be trusted to hold me up. Even still, Theo was right. So I
We pulled out of our kiss, my head dizzy with love and hope. We would find the answers we needed. We would find a future together.“You said there were answers to four questions.” I looked between the two of them, tallying the three they’d already shared. “What’s the fourth?”Violet thought for a mo
Theodore’s POV“Alari, please wake up!”I held Violet’s head in my lap, her jaw terrifyingly slack. I dared a glance at the High Priestess who had collapsed in a heap at the same time that Violet’s body had gone completely limp. “High Priestess?!”This wasn’t happening.I reached for my phone, thank
Theodore’s POVIn one breath, the love of my life laying still in the grass let out a gut-wrenching scream and the High Priestess dropped to her knees. I lunged for my wife but was thrown back by an invisible force. When I pulled myself upright, the High Priestess had a hand outstretched, clearly us
Auntie folded her hands in front of her. “Altrosis is an attempt to control magic enough to pin it down and examine it. One could more easily pin down the wind.”As if to illustrate her point, a cool breeze swept through the clearing, though not a hair on Auntie’s head swayed in its drift.“Magic is
Violet’s POVThe jungle outside the village my family lived in was beautiful. It was lush and alive, humming with magic like the air itself was breathing. I had only visited this village and its surrounding area a few times in my life, but I’d always made time to come stand among the ferns and frond