LOGIN“Do you remember what he looked like?”“It’s all a blur. Sorry.”I nodded slowly, looking around again. I spotted Max on the other side of the yard, returning to his work with a group of other males.“What’s the labor for?” I asked. “Are we building something?”“We think it’s for an army. The stone
Natalia’s POVBy the end of the first hour, my shoulders were burning and my palms had gone from sore to numb. The rock I’d been assigned to break with a heavy pickaxe was dense and black, and I was expected to break it into small pieces, then place them on a large wagon. One of those awful gray thi
A pair of figures crossed our path as we walked across the roadway. We fell into step behind them naturally, matching their pace. Neither of them looked back.The water trough was near the center of the settlement. I spotted a short line of people standing in front of it. It wasn’t running water, bu
Natalia’s POVI jerked awake with a gasp.The red sky was the same as it always was. Max was curled on his side a few feet away, still asleep, his chest rising and falling slowly. Nothing had moved. Nothing had changed.I pressed my hand flat against the ground and steadied my breathing.The vision
Natalia’s POVThe report came back the following morning. I’d hardly slept that night, which was strange for me; usually, sleep came quickly and efficiently, serving purely as a means to regain my energy for another day of hard work.But last night, I kept tossing and turning. That pull in my chest
“It’s no use!” I heard her voice call after me. “He’s already gone, you stupid bitch! He’s not who you think he is anymore! You’ll all die here!”Her words struck me somewhere deep and painful, but I kept running. We didn’t stop until the hovel was well out of sight. Only then, once we were certain
With a nod, I stepped past Catherine and into the room. Jane was crying quietly against my shoulder. Max was pale but clearly trying to be brave.“I’m sorry, Mommy,” Jane sniffled. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”“You didn’t cause any trouble, sweetheart. None of this is your fault.” I set her dow
I reached into my pocket and pulled out one of the salted caramel chocolates I’d bought for her earlier. The gold wrapper caught the light as I pressed it into her palm, closing her fingers around it.“I’m on your side,” I said quietly. “I should have realized it sooner. I should have seen what Lili
I shook my head, although my mouth was already watering for another taste. “I’m not changing my mind just because you bought me sweets.”“I’m not trying to buy you.” He stepped closer, and I found myself backing up until my hip hit the table. “I’m trying to remind you.”“Remind me of what?”“Of this
Andrei’s hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with mine and holding tight. “Natalia, look at me.”I dragged my eyes upward to meet his.“I grieved for you,” he said firmly. “For months after that accident, I couldn’t function. I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t think about anything except







