LOGINIris.It occurred to me that morning was nearly done, but there was nothing spurring me to move from where I was.I was warm. My body felt deliciously weighted. And everything around me smelled good. Like safety.The only discomfort I felt was a stickiness between my thighs.At which point, everythi
“No…. Can’t….”“Come to me.”Iris turned her unfocused, pitiful gaze to me.“I’m sick.”Phantom howled to life, pawing my weight towards her. No! She is perfect! I gave in to that much, curling around her. My thumb stroked along the flush of color brightening her skin.I leaned in close enough so tha
The good that came of the following days was that I did not miss any other meetings.The bad was that each meeting seemed more strained than the last.Only Beta Tyler spoke to the King, and only through the door grate at the entrance of the King’s Chambers– as if partaking in some clandestine deal.
I burst into the study, breathless and gasping. “King Zavan–”I stopped short, having nearly stumbled into a couple Deltas. The study was crowded with them– three of them, and Beta Tyler.“A meeting?” I was still panting, but my gaze found King Zavan’s immediately.“There was an emergency situation
My magic thus far had not proved to be harmful. I could heal, and mend. Those could serve as useful to the crown, ultimately.And if there was no intent to harm, then how could we then be accused of treason?And why did the Blessings of the Goddess not count as illegal magic then? A mating bond was
In the oncoming days, if I had any spare moment, it was spent reading– at the King’s side.We spoke sometimes, argued other times. But still, even if in contention, we sat in the same room and often took our meals together in the study.At times I needed a break from the dull technicalities of law a
“I don’t care! You think I should? All that mattered was safeguarding the last piece of my family.” I bit my tongue before I could say anymore.Paige had composed herself, back to standing tall, arm still stretched over open air.“Someone will come investigate why neither of us have shown up to our
Liquid spilled onto the table as I stirred a cauldron too roughly, surprising me out of my thoughts.I was still grinding my teeth in irritation of Paige. I should have known– the prank had gone much too well, but with my luck, the triumph wasn’t bound to last.Meymey sidled up next to me with a clo
Night fell sooner than I could finish my work. By the time I pulled the last rug into place, the moon had risen bright in the dark purple sky.The callouses on my hands burned, before my healing ability soothed my skin soft once more, as they always had.Still the exhaustion of the day had inevitabl
He wanted me subservient, easily kept under his thumb exactly like all his other subjects. Any more time spent rebelling could seal my brother’s fate for good.But if I kept appealing to the King, got close enough and served him well– then I may be able to still convince him to spare Cyrus’s life. L







