Se connecterELISE’S POVYEARS LATER.The sun was warm that morning. The golden light filled the gardens. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could just sit and breathe without fear sitting heavy in my chest. The air smelled sweet, full of roses, and the world felt gentle again.I sat under the will
Elise’s POVThe world stopped spinning the moment I saw it.The devourer.The thing Gina had called forth twisted behind her in a storm of shadows. Its form shifted into many forms. It was almost too terrible for the eyes to follow. It looked like smoke given flesh, like nightmares sculpted into bei
I swallowed hard. My tears blurred my vision.“Gina,” I whispered “This ends tonight. You and me.”The fight exploded in an instant.The courtyard shook beneath my feet as Gina and I circled each other.Gina tilted her head. Lyra whimpered in her arms. Every time my daughter screamed, the earth spli
ELISE’S POVJackson’s body was warm in my arms, but the life had already drained from his eyes. His lips were parted slightly, as if he still wanted to say something—something he hadn’t gotten the chance to tell me. My throat burned as I swallowed hard. Tears rolled down my eyes.Gina laughed loudly
ELISE’S POVI ran out of the battle field. I let my wolf guide me to Gina’s location. I could already perceive her scent in the air. But then I heard it.The scream.“Help! Someone—please!”My blood ran cold. That voice… it was my mother’s.I didn’t even think. My feet carried me , tracing her voice
ELISE’S POVThe sky darkened, swallowing every trace of sunlight. The eclipse had come.I stood at the window, staring at the darkness in the heavens. My heart was pounding so loud it drowned out the silence. The shadows crawled across the walls of the castle. The air was heavy with dread, and deep
ELISE’S POVWeeks had passed.The kind of weeks that moved slowly.Life had softened around the edges, and in this little slice of peace, I had found something I thought I’d lost forever—joy. Real, honest joy. The kind that came from soft skin against your chest, from tiny hands wrapped around your
ELISE’S POVThe room was quiet as I watched them.My babies lay side by side in their little cribs. My son was curled slightly toward Lyra, and her tiny fingers were wrapped loosely around the hem of his sleeve. They always found each other—even in sleep.I sat beside them on the edge of the rocking
FERRIS’ POVThe palace walls trembled again.I held Elise close. My arms were wrapped around her from behind as she cradled the twins. Her body was shaking. Her breath was uneven against my skin. I didn’t blame her. My own heart was pounding so hard it echoed in my ears.But my eyes were on them.Ou
I nodded slowly. “Twins.”He stared in awe “Seriously?”I gestured toward the babies. “One boy. One girl.”“Holy hell,” Eden muttered, walking over and looking into the blankets. “They look nothing like you. Praise the goddess.”I snorted. Elise chuckled through her exhaustion.“Shut up, Eden,” we b







