LOGINIt must have been at least a full day when it finally happened. I gave one final push, clenching my teeth around a leather belt that the King had shoved into my mouth some time ago.There was a gushing of water, a sensation of relief, and then the distinctive feeling of a little body slipping out be
Natalia’s POVMy baby was coming five months too early. All because of this monster and the ruby he held in his palm.“No!” I snarled, lunging toward him. I tried to grab the stone from his hand, but he held it out of my reach. The ruby flashed again, and another contraction overwhelmed me. I cried
Finally, I managed, “Your mother is… She died.”Jane’s eyes went as wide as saucers, instantly brimming with tears. “What?”“That’s not true,” Max said matter-of-factly. He tightened his arms across his chest, shut his eyes, and shook his head. “Mommy isn’t dead.”My heart ached. Burned. I thought I
Andrei’s POVThe twins were set up in my tent, which was closest to the central area of camp and thus closest to the bonfire. When I lifted the flap and stepped inside, I spotted them nestled beneath a great heap of fur blankets, and yet they were still shivering from the cold.“Daddy!” Jane perked
The fire lit up the room, revealing even more lavish decor than I expected. Everything had a fine layer of dust on it, but the place reeked of money; expensive portraits, plush furniture, marble sculptures.Likely stolen, of course. Just like the palace up above.Turning to me, the King clicked his
Natalia’s POVWhen I woke again, the air had grown colder. All light had seemingly long since been blotted out by the thick walls of the mountain; it was pitch dark, save for the ruby that occasionally pulsed around the King’s finger, illuminating the walls.If it had been under different circumstan







