ログインI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
“What are you doing?” the hunter hisses, backing away. “That’s a wild animal! It’ll bite your hand off!”I ignore him. The wolf’s eyes are open now, watching me warily. Up close, I realize they’re a strange amber color, almost gold, not unlike my own. There’s intelligence in those eyes, as if she re
IrisThe snow crunches beneath my horse’s hooves as we make our way through the forest. The temperature has dropped significantly since this morning, and I’m grateful for the thick wool coat and Augustine’s mittens that I grabbed before heading out. Even with them, my cheeks and nose are stinging fr
After that, we make pancakes shaped like hearts, play with Miles’ new toys, and read his new books. It’s the kind of perfect family holiday I used to dream about during those lonely years after I left Arthur, and I keep touching my belly, sighing wistfully as images of future holidays with more chil
IrisIt feels like I’ve only been asleep for a few minutes before I wake to the sound of Miles’ voice coming from down the hallway.“It’s Solstice morning! Presents! Daddy, Mommy, wake up!”Arthur groans beside me, burying his face deeper into the pillow. The sun isn’t even up yet; the room is gray







