LOGINNatalia’s POVHe didn’t hesitate.The moment I swung the rod toward him, his hand shot out and closed around my wrist like a vise. My arm wrenched sideways, and I felt the bones grind together under his grip, and the rod fell. It clattered somewhere on the stone floor, rolling away into the darkness
Andrei’s POVThe room was warm. The bed was soft and plush, the pillows made of feathers and velvet. Everything smelled familiar, the kind of scent that you recognize from a past life but can never put a finger on its source.Home.The woman was laying next to me, just as she always did. Amber hair
But I would do it, because the alternative was my children going through whatever came next, and that was not something I was willing to consider.I wasn’t certain yet. That was the only reason I was still trying so hard now. Because there was still a small part of me that thought that there must be
Natalia’s POVThey came for me after what felt like a full day. I say felt like because it really could have been any amount of time, or none at all. But someone did bring me some slop to eat at some point, so that had to have meant that at least a full cycle had passed.I was on my feet before the
Natalia’s POVWaking up the second time was so much worse than the first time.The first time I’d woken in this cell, at least I had had the brief mercy of not knowing where I was, even if it was over quickly.That feeling was gone now.I opened my eyes to the same black ceiling and knew exactly whe
Andrei’s POVThe interrogation chamber was in the lowest level of the castle, two floors below the cells.It was a practical room that I’d designed myself. It had a stone floor, stone walls, and a single drain in the center of the floor that served an obvious purpose. Just above the drain, a chair w
So I tried not to think about any of it. “So,” I said, turning toward Damon, “you and Grace are engaged. That was quick, eh?” He shrugged. “She was always meant to be my Luna. I was just the fool who didn’t make it happen sooner. Thankfully, I came to my senses while I’m still pretty enough to des
“Who knows how long it’ll be before she accomplishes her goals and lets them in,” I muttered, eliciting a sigh from my brother. “Can you root out her followers?” Karl asked quietly, turning away from the bookshelf. David’s expression darkened. “Not without proof. And Helena’s too smart to leave ob
Natalia’s POV The banquet hall had mostly emptied out after dinner, leaving just a few pack members lingering over their wine and quiet conversations. I was sitting beside Andrei at the head table with my feet up on the neighboring chair. Jane was sitting under the table, playing quietly with some
“That’s interesting,” I said, pointing to the ruby. “Where did you get it?” The metalsmith came around the counter to look at what I was pointing at. “Ah, that piece is just a replica, not a real ruby. I made it myself based on descriptions I’ve read.” “Descriptions of what?” “The rubies from the







