LOGINFor a beat, no one spoke. Then, he lowered Kaelani gently until her feet touched the ground, but he didn’t let go—his fingers slipping into hers, holding on like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kaelani’s gaze dropped to their hands. The contact stilled something inside her. No one ha
“You do.” He let his gaze drop—just for a second—to the space between them, the inches that still separated them. Then back to her. “But I meant it when I said I’d never leave you again… that was real.” A brief pause—not for effect, but because he meant it. “Not when it’s hard. Not when it’s me
Kaelani’s smile hit him harder than anything else had. For the first time, it was meant for him. Julian stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him and shutting out everything beyond it—the chaos, the noise, all of it. In here— was his peace. His heart. His whole world. He move
The room. The light. The faces. A breath caught in his chest. “Kaelani…?” His focus sharpened. His room. His packhouse. Familiar walls and scent. But something was wrong. His gaze moved quickly—his mother at his side, Jace by the window. No Kaelani. Julian pushed himself upright, pain tear
She didn’t look at him. “Julian Hale… fugitive status removed.” Another keystroke. “Jace Romano… fugitive status removed.” Her fingers paused for a fraction of a second before continuing. “Garrick Blake… charges dropped.” A quiet tap followed. “Release scheduled for… tomorrow morning.” Then—
A brief pause. “Am I wrong?” Councilor Voss didn’t answer. He simply watched her for a moment longer before speaking. “What is it that you want?” Kaelani held the room for a moment. “What I wanted the day I stood before you in the Chamber of Elders,” she said. “What I asked for then.” “To liv
“There is no need for hostility.” The warrior stiffened. “My apologies, my lord,” he said, bowing his head and stepping back into place with disciplined silence. Draevyn’s attention returned to Kaelani, his expression softening. “Please,” he said, gentler now. “Have a seat.” Kaelani moved slowl
His stare wasn’t lecherous or hostile. It was assessing. Quietly intense. Like he was trying to place her—like she was a song he’d heard before but couldn’t quite recall. His chalice remained untouched. The cards long forgotten. “Where are you from?” he asked, voice soft but weighted. Kaelani hes
The words echoed like a curse in her mind. Unseelie Court. That’s what Garrick had called it. That’s what he’d said her mother was—a dark fae of the Unseelie Court. Kaelani’s heart pounded, but the rhythm was hollow, stunned, as her legs moved of their own accord, flanked by six spear-wielding wa
A sharp jab to her ribs snapped Kaelani out of unconsciousness. She gasped, body lurching upright as her eyes flew open—only to be met with a flash of steel and light. A half-dozen spearheads, glowing with crackling energy, hovered inches from her face. She sat up instinctively—and instantly regr







