ANMELDENLilaIt’s strange how the smallest sound, like the brush of quill to parchment, can fill a room with thoughts.The palace beyond our chambers is silent now, its pulse softened to the rhythm of domestic life. I can hear faint laughter drifting through the open balcony doors: the twins chasing each ot
DamonSomewhere below, laughter spills faintly through the gardens: high, bright, unguarded. The twins again, playing well-past their bedtime but I don’t have the heart to call them inside.I walk the long hall that leads from the council chamber to our private suite, the torches low, their flames s
Every tree leans toward the wind, every leaf trembles like it recognizes us.Ruby hums beneath my ribs, her joy is an endless echo. Faster, she urges. The world will wait for us to slow down later.So we run.Zane’s golden form stays just ahead, his stride long and sure, the light from the moon catc
LilaI could feel it in the stone beneath my bare feet, in the calm rhythm of the sentries’ hearts beyond the gates: the kingdom was in a time of peace.I slipped through the eastern corridor, skirts gathered in one hand, the cool floor pressing against my soles. When I reached the stables, I found
The crowd quieted instantly as she lifted her hands over the flame. The moon above flared brighter, its light spilling across her skin like liquid light.This was her kingdom. Our kingdom. I realized it had never really been mine alone.LilaThe fire crackled, alive and breathing. Its gold bled into
DamonThe air burned cold and clean beneath the full moon.From the dais, I could see the courtyard stretch endlessly below; lanterns hanging from the ramparts, petals scattered across stone, banners of every Pack rippling in the silver wind.Wolves, healers, and warriors stood shoulder to shoulder.
DamonThe echo of polite applause still clung to my skin as I stepped into Ella’s receiving room. The air here was thick with her perfume, sweeter than honey and just as cloying.She sat poised in a high-backed chair near the window, one ankle crossed neatly over the other, her smile slow and satisf
DamonMaps covered the table in uneven layers, edges curling from heat and time. The wax seal on the latest council decree sat half-melted where I’d pressed it down hours ago, forgotten.I couldn’t stop pacing.Every few strides I circled back to the table, fingers brushing the ink-stained edges of
DamonThe guards opened the chamber doors without a word, and Ella swept in like she’d been given a choice in the matter.Her gown was pearl-colored silk, too fine for a war room and too soft for the cruelty she carried. Her hair was pinned with mother-of-pearl combs, her lips curved in a smile I wo
DamonI didn’t bother changing out of my armor. I wanted them all to see the blood still drying on the leather. Let them smell the sweat that clung to me like a second skin.I walked into the council chamber without ceremony, without a word, my boots echoing like war drums against the marble floor.







