EllaWe don’t linger long at the falls. The sunset fades to a rich, velvety purple by the time I pull the car I borrowed into the massive garage behind the castle. Ryatt didn’t say a word the entire drive back. I glanced at him a few times, noticing the absent look in his eyes as he hung his arm out the window, his fingers splayed in the wind. Now we’re seated at a long table made of glass. Platters of food cover the surface. It’s an informal setting in the informal dining room in Poppy’s massive castle. “Here,” Poppy says, standing to lean over the table and place two huge steaks on Ryatt’s plate. “Eat up.”Ryatt meets her eyes with a soft nod of thanks. She’s already laden his plate twice now, and he’s eaten every morsel of food she’s offered. Still, watching Poppy’s motherly attentiveness to his unspoken needs curls in my heart and threatens to shatter it. She doesn’t really know him, and what she does know about him can’t be good. Yet, she exudes nothing but kindness and love.
EllaMusic thrums through the air, sending steady vibrations over every surface in the crowded, cozy bar. For being such an old dive, it’s always busy, and always full of a young crowd. A mix of lively pop and sensual, drumming house music plays on a loop. The lights are dimmed, and all around us people dance and sway to the music. It’s unlike any tavern or pub Ryatt’s ever been to, I’m sure. He looks skeptical as I clutch his hand and wade through the crowd to the bar. I order three drinks. A sparkling water for me, of course. “These are my favorite,” I tell him as I whirl around holding two identical mixed drinks. I thrust them into his hands. He lifts one and sniffs, then grimaces. “What is it?”“It’s called Sex on the Beach,” I purr, giving his arm a little nudge as I bring my water to my lips.“Why am I holding two drinks?”“Because you’re drinking for two tonight, since I can’t.”Another scowl. He takes a careful sip and narrows his eyes at me. “This doesn’t taste like whi
EllaI can feel his hesitation as he lays me down on the bed. It’ss soft and cool to the touch from the gentle tropical breeze drifting through the open doors leading to a starlit balcony. A shiver snakes over my skin–whether from the chill in the air or the fact Ryatt’s hands are trailing down my sides, I’m not sure. Time is hazy. How long has it been since we’ve been together like this? All of the events leading up to our final, and only, stand against Kane are a blur. And here, in Maatua? I feel like the minutes and hours either crawl or flash by before my eyes, making it hard to determine just how long we’ve been here. But I know it’s been a while since his hands have slid down my thighs, cupping my ass as he scoots me to the very center of the large bed. Unlike before, when the lust and tension had been a burning flame between us, this feels different. Softer. Gentler. I realize he’s worried about me, worried about touching me, and my heart threatens to crumble when I involun
RyattThe main house in the isles echoes with screams. Ella runs ahead of me, her face flushed and colorless as she darts up the stairs and out of sight, leaving me standing in the foyer. All around me, archways lead out onto a wide circular terrace that surrounds the house in its entirety, the view nothing short of peaceful and serene. But the screams… gods, Maddy’s shouts of pain pierce my ears and send shivers down my spine, settling in my gut. Two women dressed in white rush past me, murmuring to each other as they carry handfuls of towels up the stairs. They pass another woman–another healer–carrying a basket of soiled linen in her arms. Blood stains the once white fabric as she runs down another corridor. My stomach twists at the sight, and I turn toward the terrace, unsure of what to do, where to go, or what to even think. I step out into the sunlight and close my eyes for a moment, trying to catch my breath. But a scraping sound catches my attention. I open my eyes and tu
EllaI step back just in time to catch the bundle Isaac places in my arms before he rushes to Maddy’s side. He falls to his knees beside the bed, holding her face in his hands as she sobs, her mouth pulled into a delirious smile. I look down at the baby in my arms, who looks up at me with a scowl. “H-hello there.”His mouth pinches, and he begins to whine. I bounce him gently, unsure of what to do. I look wildly around for help, but the room is a tangle of healers trying to tend to Maddy and the second, much larger baby now resting on her chest while he’s rubbed down with towels. Maddy’s hands shake so violently, she’s barely able to lay a hand on her son’s back, and Isaac… oh, Isaac is a blubbering mess, but I’ve never seen him so raw. He only has eyes for his mate. Only for her. His eyes shine with tears as he says, “Thank the Goddess,” over and over again, pressing the words into her gleaming brow.Mom watches the proceedings like a hawk and then hands Isaac a vial of tears, whic
RyattMaddox watches me from across the coffee table loaded with breakfast foods. Pastries, fruit, and meat sit on delicate plates, surrounded by bottles of juice and three carafes of hot coffee. So far, coffee is all we’ve touched. He’s just been… staring at me. Staring at me for twenty minutes now. I clear my throat, pouring myself a third cup of coffee. “I believe congratulations are in order,” I say. “Two healthy princes and a Luna still living is nothing to scoff at.”“It’s a blessing, to be sure.” Maddox glances at the door, then back at me. “I don’t expect Isaac to come to this meeting today.”“We can discuss your terms without him. He might be the king, but he’s Ella’s brother.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Your opinion on this matter means more to me, and to her, than his.”“Have you spoken to her about the idea of her staying here, at least until the baby is born?” Maddox eyes me cooly, sternly, radiating that primal aura all born Alphas possess. “Of c
Ella“Oh, my Goddess!” I don’t care that I’m screaming for the entire world to hear. My voice echoes off the walls as I barrel down the stairs, practically blind, tears springing from my lashes and rolling down my cheeks. I trip over my own feet and fall to my knees on the tile just as Ryatt reaches my side and hauls me upright. He doesn’t let me go. I squirm in his arms, panting, reaching a hand toward the bloodied man staining the ivory tiles crimson. Westfall’s glacier blue eyes meet mine, but his expression is strained as the wolves hold him down. Several of the wolves have him by their teeth, blood pooling around the wounds they’ve inflicted by getting him on the ground. “Isaac, please!” I shout.Isaac looks from me to Westfall, confusion blurring his features. “Alpha King!” Ryatt shouts, a touch panicked as he holds me back. “Let him go.”Cassian rushes into the room, cursing audibly as he skids to a stop. Hannah is hot on his heels but he swings his arm out to stop her. Sh
EllaI can readily admit I’ve never been good at goodbyes. I left Maddy in the woods during the war, for example, running toward what I was sure was death at the hands of my own mate or to throw myself between him and my brother. I stabbed my brother in the chest and put him into a magically induced coma rather than tell him I was thinking about leaving and crossing the veil. And then I ruined his fancy party by having Ryatt create a Goddess-damned portal in the middle of my family’s throne room. Even faced with being separated from Ryatt by war, I chose to ignore his very valid points about how dangerous King Kane was and fought with him instead of just saying goodbye. I brought Ryatt here and put my whole family through the wringer instead of letting him die because I couldn’t, and never could, say goodbye for a final time. I doubt I’ll ever change. I don’t want to, honestly. I’d rather sneak off into the night than go through… this. My family looks morose and uncomfortable i
LoganSeveral Months LaterMoonrise is washed in rain as I pace the upper hallways of the grand palace. My muscles are impossibly tight as moans echo toward me and away again. I pace in the opposite direction of the cries of agony that cut me to the core. It’s been like this for hours now. We’d arrived in Moonrise last night with plans to visit for a few days before leaving for Veiled Valley for the next month or so, returning to Emberfyll in time for the birth of our child with time to spare, but things went awry. A nurse–a witch–rushes in my direction, her face pale and washed in concern. “Alpha King Logan? It’s time.”“Is she all right?”“She’s okay,” she lies, her eyes giving away her worry. I brush past her, the hallway blurring as my vision hones in on the door behind which my mate is writhing, begging for relief, but also more time. Our son is months early. Eight weeks early, to be exact. The witches have been trying to stop the labor for hours, but Brie’s in so much pain,
BrieI wake up the next morning curled in Logan’s arms. I doubt we got more than a few hours of sleep, but my mind won’t shut off, and I doubt his has either. We lay there in silence for several minutes. Logan draws lazy circles on my arm while staring up at the ceiling. I want to ask him what he’s feeling right now. I’ve never seen him this quiet, this at a loss for words. So, I’m the one who talks instead. “Do you remember me as a kid?” I ask, and he nods, then shrugs one shoulder. “I suppose. You’re seven years younger than me, though. You would have been playing with dolls while I was out hunting or training to be a warrior.”“Maeve mentioned last night, when I told her I could speak your language, that I spent a summer in Silverhide while Aviva was teaching you how to read and write. Apparently, I picked up your language back then, and just… forgot about it.”His fingers stop moving for a moment, but then he chuckles low in his throat, rolling over to face me. “I actually rem
BrieThe castle glows like liquid gold from the light of what must be hundreds of tallow candles. The gathered crowd shuffles to find a spot to sit or stand in the wide, toppled ballroom of sorts. I’m not sure what it used to be, but only so many rooms are still fully enclosed. The weather in Emberfyll is mild. I imagine when the forest grows back, it’ll be borderline tropical. A feast of fish is laid out on makeshift tables or on long strips of fabric where people are seated on the floor, passing pewter plates down the line into hungry hands. Others break bread or pour tea and mead into mugs. I watch from the front of the room where I’m seated against a backdrop of the ocean and the clear, star filled sky. Maeve’s still asleep. She’s been sleeping all day, since the moment she arrived, but I imagine that won’t change for a while. I’m worried about her–have been checking on her all day while also juggling creating a plan of action with Logan and Seamus for when my father’s warriors
BrieI wake in the early hours of the morning to soft sunlight brushing over my cheeks. I’m sure I cried myself to sleep last night. I forgot where I was, but only briefly, reality rushing in, reminding me that I made it to Emberfyll alone. I roll in the furs, letting the warm, morning sunlight play over my face, but then I hear a commotion coming from outside. Yips and barks dance through the air. I rise, clutching the windowsill for support as I squint into the sun and see a dozen wolves racing through the flattened, charred space that used to be the front garden. Smoke rises in the forest from chimneys, the villagers waking for the day, but I can’t see past the trees and their thick summer canopies. The wolves are racing into the forest. I whirl to heavy footsteps running into the room I was given to use as my own last night. Seamus braces himself in the doorway, panting like he ran all the way here from the depths of the castle. I wait for him to tell me we’re under attack, or
Logan“BRIE!” I shout toward the trees. My voice carries through the night but doesn’t bounce back to me. It just keeps going, and going, and I’m at a complete loss as to where we are or where my mate could be. Maeve murmurs at my feet where she’s lying flat on her back. I woke up five, maybe ten minutes ago in so much pain I could barely breathe, let alone stand. Now, I’m stumbling from spindly tree to spindly tree, using them to steady myself as I scream my mate’s name into the night, but she doesn’t answer. Through the trees, I can just see the ocean, the storm raging in the distance. Lightning in shades of crimson and deep violet split the clouds as wind rushes toward the mainland. I can feel the electricity in the air, even from miles away. I can taste the thick, metallic stain of magic on my tongue. That storm… Maeve created it. It’s her powers drifting away from us, stirring up the sea. But Maeve is currently unable to even speak as it stands, and she’s cold to the touch whe
BrieI open my eyes as I’m falling through thin air. I don’t even have time to scream before my body drops into water. Deep, rough water that drags me under the second I suck in a salty breath. I flail against the waves, trying to find the surface, but the undercurrent drags me down again, pulling me by my dress and tossing me upside down. My head hits something hard, and I screech, but the sound is empty. I suck in water, choking, and realize quite suddenly that I’m drowning. I go as still as possible, using the last of my energy to start moving with the current instead of against it, which turns out to be the best idea I’ve ever had, especially under duress. I open my eyes underwater, staring down at the shallows. It’s sunny. Daytime. And below, seaweed waves between large, gray rocks. Pockets of sunshine dance through the water, illuminating seashells in shades I’ve never seen before. Another wave crashes over the top of me, sending me rolling into even shallower water, and fina
MaeveCole and Misty have a beautiful suburban home in Shadowcrest. It’s always the same–always smells like freshly baked cookies and the flowers she keeps in vases all over the house. Tonight, as my toes brush the ground, and my powers funnel back into my body, it smells like… popcorn. “You pig! You’re not going to eat all of that.” Josie’s voice, so similar to her mother’s, drifts down the hallway. I landed in the foyer, which is dark, soft moonlight drifting in through the windows and casting the stairs and framed photos of the family in silver shadows. “If you wanted more, you should have added it to the order,” Adrian argues then yelps after a smacking sound reverberates toward me in the gloom. “Give me one of your tacos–”“Or what?”“I’ll tell Mom.”“She’s in Eastonia, dumbass. Hey!” A scuffle ensures. I have two seconds to jump into the shadow of Misty’s study just off the foyer when Cole walks down the stairs, still wearing his hospital scrubs. The sound of a shower running
LoganRyatt and Evander walk out of sight across the bridge connecting the barracks to the main streets of the city. I look out of my old bedroom window at the sunny glare casting shadows over the valley. The shadows move as the clouds dart across the sky toward the castle, toward my wife, who I’d much rather be with right now than here. I… I don’t have anything to pack. Anything that meant anything to me–my laptop, my fucking glasses–were lost in the shipwreck. I have the clothes on my back, and even those were borrowed from who-knows-where, left on the dresser in Brie’s bedroom by the ghost that haunts her house. She’s all I have, and it’s not like I can pack her in my duffle bag and take her with me. I crank open the window to let in some fresh air to cut through the overwhelmingly male smell of the barracks. I turn to my empty duffle bag with a sigh, bracing my hands on either side of it on the bed, and hang my head, but a whoosh of air rushes out behind me, and I turn in time
BrieThe moment my bedroom door closes behind us, Logan’s mouth is on mine. The lock slides into place with a soft click, and an even softer groan leaves his mouth when I reach up to run my fingers through his damp curls. He smells like rain and leather. Like the promise of warmth and comfort through another stormy night. And now this man–this loud, obnoxious, opinionated man… he’s mine. He presses a kiss to the ring he bought today on a whim. It’s a simple band of gold–that’s it. “I'll give you a better one when I return,” he promises, kissing the palm of my hand before his lips find mine again. “A ring with a diamond the old gods can see from the heavens.”“I don’t care about that.” I giggle as his hands glide down my sides, pulling me close. Outside, thunder booms, the room lighting in ribbons of blue as lightning splits the clouds, but in here, it’s warm. It’s private. It’s just us. He removes my cloak. It falls to the ground in a heap at my feet. He’s careful with the dress,