LOGINTheodore’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
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
By the Goddess, Violet had been right to send me down here. When we pulled out of the hug, she cupped my face in her hands, worry clouding her eyes. “Are you safe, boy?”My brows furrowed in confusion. She sighed and let go of my face.“I’m sorry, I’ve just always worried for you so, especially aft
Theodore’s POVIt felt wrong walking away from Violet when we had so little time together as it was. But she did need to rest. And she had made a good point about whoever knew my mom possibly having answers we needed.Marcy led me to the front porch and the woman who waited there. “If you’d like to







