LOGINI nodded, standing and swaying slightly on my feet, then slipped out.The hallway was mercifully empty. I kept my hand on the wall again as I made my way toward the exit, the music from the banquet growing fainter with every step until I pushed out through the side door and the night air hit me all
Liora’s POVMrs. Oakes didn’t slow down until we were halfway across the building, moving at a pace that had me struggling to keep up with her given the state I was in. The hallway lights felt too bright after the dim candlelight of the banquet, and the tiles on the floor suddenly felt like a maze.
“All of it,” she said.“I have to be prepared for tomorrow,” I said. “I can’t—”“All. Of. It.”The command in Bianca’s tone made me stiffen. I felt her wolf’s newfound power wash over me, forcing my fingers to tighten around the cup. Before I could regain control of myself, I was lifting the cup bac
Liora’s POVThat night, Bianca oh-so-graciously hosted a banquet to celebrate the first day of the tournament. Mia, Zane, and I found seats near the middle of the room, toward the end of one of the longer tables, far enough from the head of the room that I could almost pretend Bianca wasn’t holding
Liora’s POVMy first opponent went down in under two minutes.He was a big guy, a quarterback on the football team, all muscle and size. But he was slow and clumsy, and relied too much on his strength to win—not enough combat technique to hold his own despite his larger stature.He came at me swingi
“Told you,” she said.“Show-off,” I replied as I clapped her on the back. Zane produced a single rose from behind his back, which Mia accepted with a squeal and tucked behind her ear. I shot him a look that he pretended not to notice as he draped an arm around her shoulders.We stuck around to watch
Zane and I turned to leave. I gave him a push, promising to be right behind him. But just as I went to follow, another rogue leapt out from behind a tent, separating us. I recognized him as the one who had chased me down the other night. Julie’s killer.“Go!” I shouted to Zane. “I’ll be fine!”I cou
Liora’s POV“I can’t believe how excited I am.” Mia leaned in, nudging me with her elbow. “What about you? You’ve been smiling all morning.”“Have I?” I shrugged. “I guess I’m a little excited to see the royal palace for the first time.”The first time. Like I didn’t live there for my entire life. B
Liora’s POVThe inside of the castle was just as beautiful as I remembered. Moody lighting, antique furnishings, portraits of royals long passed lining the walls. But it was not home. This wasn’t the royal palace, but my cousin Ambrose’s home.Everyone gasped and moved around the space, staring at t
Ambrose beamed, looking away from me again, and lifted his hands to quiet everyone.“We’ll be holding the ceremony this weekend,” he went on once the room had hushed again. “You’re all invited, of course. I hope you all fall just as head over heels for her as I did over the past month.”“You met her







