IrisEach brush stroke across the canvas takes me deeper and deeper into a state of flow. My hand moves of its own accord, in time with the soft classical music playing on the small record player in the corner. Blues and yellows, pinks and greens.It’s a simple still life of some potted tulips sitti
“I’m surprised you don’t have a personal chef or something, Mr. President,” I remark, sliding onto one of the barstools at the kitchen island as I watch him line up the ingredients and put a pot of water on the stove to boil.Arthur shoots me a sidelong glance, then gestures around the kitchen with
IrisThe spell is quickly broken when I realize just how close we are. I nearly fall off my painting stool in my attempt to put some distance between us, sending the entire stool clattering to the floor.My cheeks flush as I stoop to pick it up, getting even more paint on the sleeve of my cardigan i
“Hello!” I say cheerfully to a woman who’s passing by. “Can I interest you in a—”The woman ignores me, her heels clicking as she hurries past.I sigh, but shake it off and turn to the next person. “Can I interest you in a Flora original? Just three hundred dollars!”The man, wearing a leather jacke
Iris“Hello, Iris,” Selina says, flipping a blonde curl over her shoulder with a manicured hand. “Fancy seeing you here.”I freeze in the doorway to the living room, suddenly feeling out of place in what was once my own home. Arthur is sitting in an armchair across from Selina, who is perched on the
I suppose it doesn’t matter at this point if I back out or not, since that clause will still prevent me from leaving the country with Miles for a year regardless. Unless I get legal help, of course. Which I will. Once I earn enough money.Still, I have no intention of using Arthur’s money for anythi
IrisArthur leaves after that, which is both a relief and a disappointment for reasons I’m not sure if I’m ready to admit. Miles is happily playing in the guest bedroom, so I leave him be and head straight to my studio, ready to get to work.Over the next couple of hours, I slip back into my groove.
“But Augustine—”“Go away, Selina!”I blink, surprised. She thinks I’m… her? I don’t think I sound like Selina at all. “I’m not Selina,” I reply quickly. “It’s me, Iris. Open the door and see for yourself.”There’s a pause, and I think she might finally oblige. But she doesn’t. Rather, I just hear t
It’s stunning.In each space, staff members greet us. They seem to recognize me, but none of them comment on the situation.“Everyone is so friendly,” I note as a housekeeper curtsies slightly before continuing with her work.“They’ve been waiting to meet you for twenty-six years,” Caleb says. “When
IrisI stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror, barely recognizing myself. The sapphire blue dress hugs my curves perfectly, flowing in a silky cascade to just above my knees.Unlike the emerald dress that was destroyed at the gala or the stuffy outfit from the photoshoot, this one actually
Climbing into my car, I start the engine and peel out of the alleyway, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe Caleb really was just being nice to make up for spilling coffee on her.But that doesn’t explain the dress. That sapphire blue dress she showed me—I recognize
Iris & ArthurIrisThe shopping bags rustle as I shift them in my arms, stepping out of the taxi in front of my apartment building. My head still feels foggy, like I’m walking through a dream—or maybe a nightmare. I keep replaying Caleb’s words in my mind: You’re my sister. You’re a werewolf.How am
“Alright,” I finally agree. “I won’t tell anyone, but only for a few days. This is too big to keep from my mate for any longer than that.”Caleb smiles, looking relieved. “Thank you.” He glances down at my coffee-stained blouse and winces. “I’m sorry about that. Let me make it up to you.”“It’s just
IrisI blink, surprised by Caleb’s presence. His expression is unreadable as he carefully dabs at my shirt, but there’s something in his eyes—a strange intensity that makes me uncomfortable. It’s the same look he gave me at the hospital when we first met.“Actually, I’ve been hoping to run into you,
While Arthur dresses, I slip out of the bedroom. Miles is in the kitchen now, standing on his tiptoes trying to reach the cereal boxes on the top shelf. Scout curls around my legs, crying for his breakfast too as I make my way over to Miles.“Here, let me help,” I say, retrieving his favorite cereal
IrisSunlight streams through my partially open curtains, painting warm stripes across the tangled white sheets. I wake slowly, my body pleasantly sore in ways I haven’t felt in years. An arm is draped heavily across my waist, and for a moment, I’m disoriented—and then the memories of last night com
“I want to taste you,” I whisper, pushing him gently onto his back.Arthur’s eyes fly open, watching as I move down his body, placing open-mouthed kisses along his chest and stomach. When I take him into my mouth, his hand flies to my hair, fingers tangling in the strands.I remember what he likes—t