MasukTheodore’s POVI looked around the rich wood paneling of the conference room. This was one of the rooms in the royal palace that I had thought to be superfluous at first. Why have a room specifically for business meetings when there were twenty-some other places to gather in this unnecessarily large
Theo stood, and I returned my attention to him as he offered me his hand. I took it, leaning into him more than usual as I stood.Holding me close, pressing our bodies together, Theo tilted his head up to the striking sun. “Do you feel that?” he asked. “The warmth of the sun?”I closed my eyes, a si
Violet’s POVInstead of lunch plans, Theo told Marcy and Aunt Marissa that we would back for dinner with both the families. Then my husband dragged me around the market, picking up a loaf of warm bread, some cheese, dried meats, fruit, and a hand-woven blanket that was the same red and yellows as ou
“You alright?” I asked them both.Colby blinked and gathered himself, nodding once. Sinclair’s gaze snapped to mine with something like rage in them. I wasn’t sure if it was for letting such young kids fight or from hiding this from them up until now.He seemed to remember himself though, remember h
Theodore’s POVThe next morning, everyone gathered at one of Violet’s cousin’s farms in town. It was the only place big enough to showcase what they’d been learning. Apparently, they were used to training on Uncle Caleb’s farm, but since everyone was already gathered here, we would make do.Violet a
Violet’s POVI had to be careful.I knew I had a bias toward women. Everything I’d said to Olivia Bronson at the royal palace had been true. I did relate her.Growing up as an incredibly capable woman in a world where women weren’t expected to be capable was suffocating. I was desperate to change th
“It was worth it.” Theodore’s expression softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “It was.” The forest around us seemed to glow faintly, the magical flowers casting their light like stars against the darkness. For a moment, neither of us mov
Violet I bolted into the forest. Theodore’s answering snarl carried a hint of amusement, and then he was after me, his powerful strides eating up the distance between us. I ran faster, darting through the trees, weaving around trunks, and leaping over underbrush, my senses alive with the thrill of
The conviction in his voice was enough to push back the doubt, if only a little. I took a deep breath and slipped out of his arms. He let me go, and I closed my eyes, reaching inward, pushing, and searching for that spark that had once felt as easy as breathing. Please, I thought, willing the conn
Violet I shook off the haze and blinked at the empty space beside me. The faint warmth in the sheets was the only evidence that Theodore had been there at all. The unease from my dream lingered, a nagging sensation curling in my chest. Something felt off. Slipping out of bed, I padded toward the







