LOGINElara's POV “Supposed to be,” Jason snarls. “And I was talking to your father, not you. Your Majesty, please!”“I agree with Alpha Marrock,” King Edward says, his voice uneven. “There’s no need to humiliate the girl. Take her to her room.”“The ritual has to be completed!” the white witches protest.“And it will be,” the king responds sharply. “But not here. And not till she recovers. She looks half dead. I do not appreciate this. Take Miss Ashwyn to her room now!”Someone is picking me up, but I don’t know who it is. Jason’s face swims into my vision, and I use the last bit of my strength to whisper weakly to him, “Kill me. Please.”His eyes soften, and I see the pity in them. “I can’t do that.”My arm falls limply to my side.I feel myself fading in and out of consciousness, my awareness declining. At some point, there’s a bed underneath me. A wet cloth is being rubbed gently across my face. I can hear someone sobbing.Why?Why waste tears on me?I feel the warmth of healing magic,
Elara's POVMy heart is aching so badly that it feels like it will collapse. There are no tears in my eyes. I’m trying to gather myself, but I don’t know how. I’ve been so badly shattered that it’s as if I’m standing in an eternal darkness, shards of the person I used to be scattered around me in a thousand pieces.“I asked you a question, Prince Lucien,” King Edward demanded. “The royal family has always taken fated mates, if you recall. I hope you have a good reason for choosing another female as you intended.”My eyes lift from the floor to look at Lucien as everyone waits for his answer. He still has the same face, I muse to myself dully, the same handsome features, those startling green eyes that held so much love and laughter in them.Yet, I don’t recognize the man standing a few feet from me. I’m looking at a stranger right now, as he finally meets my gaze. There is not an ounce of affection in his eyes, none of the warmth that always existed when he looked at me.No. All I see
Elara's POVI nod. “My fated mate is already having a hard time. I don’t want to add to it.”“Is he?” The old gardener looks at me. “Why is that?”I give him a small smile, kicking my feet. “Let’s just say I’m not the most suitable of mates for him. But he seems to like me. I’m grateful for that much, at least.”I don’t know why I’m telling him so much. Maybe my heart is so heavy that some of the hurt is spilling out.The old man is quiet for a few moments, and then he says, “You should be more confident in yourself.”I want to laugh at his words. “That’s easier said than done. I’ve never been given an opportunity to practice that. Imagine being told your whole life that you deserve to die for merely breathing. Then tell me I should be confident.” My outburst has made me start shaking, and I rub my hands over my face to try to stop. My body feels cold. “Sorry. I guess you caught me at a bad time. I should go. I’ll send someone to help you. I’m so sorry.”When I move to stand up,
Elara's POVI nod. “My fated mate is already having a hard time. I don’t want to add to it.”“Is he?” The old gardener looks at me. “Why is that?”I give him a small smile, kicking my feet. “Let’s just say I’m not the most suitable of mates for him. But he seems to like me. I’m grateful for that much, at least.”I don’t know why I’m telling him so much. Maybe my heart is so heavy that some of the hurt is spilling out.The old man is quiet for a few moments, and then he says, “You should be more confident in yourself.”I want to laugh at his words. “That’s easier said than done. I’ve never been given an opportunity to practice that. Imagine being told your whole life that you deserve to die for merely breathing. Then tell me I should be confident.” My outburst has made me start shaking, and I rub my hands over my face to try to stop. My body feels cold. “Sorry. I guess you caught me at a bad time. I should go. I’ll send someone to help you. I’m so sorry.”When I move to stand up,
Elara's POVLove is a strange thing.Does spending one night together with the man I care for so deeply mean I’m in love with him?Sitting on the bench enjoying the cool breeze, I let my thoughts wander. I like Lucien. I trust him.I trusted him enough to give him my body. I may not have had a plethora of wolf shifters vying to bed me, but I have had plenty of human men who were interested. I simply never wanted to be so vulnerable with anybody.But when Lucien kissed me, when he held me to him, I wanted him to be the first. In my dimly lit room, I wanted to know what it felt like to be with someone who cared about me.He kept me up till dawn. I expected him to be there when I woke up this afternoon—or at least, I hoped he would be there—but he was long gone. The idea of looking Mary in the eyes had haunted me till I discovered that she had gone off with some girls on a picnic. She had left behind a note for me, explaining her absence. To my surprise, even Jimmy was no longer guarding
Elara's POVLove is a strange thing.Does spending one night together with the man I care for so deeply mean I’m in love with him?Sitting on the bench enjoying the cool breeze, I let my thoughts wander. I like Lucien. I trust him.I trusted him enough to give him my body. I may not have had a plethora of wolf shifters vying to bed me, but I have had plenty of human men who were interested. I simply never wanted to be so vulnerable with anybody.But when Lucien kissed me, when he held me to him, I wanted him to be the first. In my dimly lit room, I wanted to know what it felt like to be with someone who cared about me.He kept me up till dawn. I expected him to be there when I woke up this afternoon—or at least, I hoped he would be there—but he was long gone. The idea of looking Mary in the eyes had haunted me till I discovered that she had gone off with some girls on a picnic. She had left behind a note for me, explaining her absence. To my surprise, even Jimmy was no longer guarding
Lucien's POVThe look of shock on Elara’s face makes me want to chortle.I’m not surprised by the quick flash of anger that follows. I had anticipated that. I’m sure I’m going to get an earful later on.My father leans toward me as I sit down next to him. “Is that the young lady you can’t seem to
Lucien's POVMy father is nowhere to be seen in the ballroom. However, his attendant, Lucius, is waiting for me.“His Majesty is in his study. He’s requesting your presence.”I stop in my tracks to look at the man. “I was told he has taken ill.”Lucius’s upper lip curls in disgust, but his express
Lucien's POVWolf shifters don’t need weapons, but the royal family is a stickler for tradition. I can fight with a sword as well as I can fight with my body.“You can leave now,” I say coldly. “My father has spoken.”“Lower your sword, Lucien.” My father gives me a displeased look. “Thorne, please
Elara's POV I haven’t changed out of my dress yet. I don’t know how to take it off without some help. All the damn buttons are on the back. Leaning on the balcony railing, I looked out at the palace grounds, my thoughts conflicted. I should be happy. In a way, I am. But I’m also terrified of what







