LOGINKaelani laughed softly as his arms settled around her. “You answered that awfully fast.” “Because I didn’t need to think about it.” He brushed a kiss beneath her ear before trailing another along the curve of her neck. “I would spend the rest of my life filling this packhouse, Silveredge, and the
Julian leaned back in his chair, satisfied. “Then let’s build something that lasts.” A knock sounded at the door before it opened without waiting for permission. Kaelani stepped inside with Kaelen perched comfortably on her hip, his small hand tangled in the fabric of her sleeve. Julian looked up
Kaelani sat cross-legged at a table, Unseelie warriors gathered in a loose circle around her. She held a fan of enchanted cards etched with shifting sigils, their symbols glimmering faintly as though alive. She studied the other players with an unreadable expression, her storm-dark eyes giving nothi
Tessa burst into laughter. “Damn. I wish I had your powers.” Kaelani smiled, her eyes glinting with mischief. “That’s not even the best part.” Tessa blinked. “There’s more?” “Oh, there’s definitely more.” Kaelani hopped down from the counter and took Tessa’s hand again, leading her back outside
“Kaelani,” he said warmly, “I want you to meet a couple of friends of mine.” Lazarus and Sebastian turned to face her fully. “This is Lazarus,” Julian continued, “and Sebastian.” Kaelani smiled politely. “Oh, hello. Julian has told me so much about you both.” She extended her hand toward Lazarus
Kaelani gathered a careful handful of her gown as she reached her chair. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said lightly, glancing at Julian, “I need to use the ladies’ room.” Julian’s brows lifted as he looked down at the layers of satin and diamonds. “Do you need help?” he asked, gesturing toward the swe
“What you’re wearing is fine,” he said simply. “It’s only fabric.” He stepped closer and extended his hand toward her. For a moment Kaelani hesitated—not out of reluctance, but out of the strange flutter building in her chest. Then she slipped off her sandals and placed her hand in his. His finge
A shape shifted behind the leaves. Tall. Too tall. Its outline warped as it moved, stretching unnaturally, as if the shadows themselves were trying to stand upright. The whispers spiked, overlapping into something almost gleeful. Julian took a step forward. “Jace—wait—” The shape lunged. Jace
Night had swallowed the desert, but the heat hadn’t loosened its grip. It clung to Julian’s skin like a second hide—heavy, suffocating. Every breath scraped his throat raw, lungs burning as if they’d forgotten how to draw air properly. His tongue felt swollen, useless. Dry enough that swallowing hu
The question alone unraveled something in her. Pulled at strings she wasn’t ready to tug loose. Because the truth was murky. Heavy. Entangled with longing and betrayal, memory and hope. Did she love Julian? Or had the bond just convinced her that she should? Before she could even begin to untangl







