The last few hours were some of the unhappiest of my life. I had always assumed that I was the one keeping secrets, never had it even crossed my mind that he could be keeping some from me. We had never argued before, as I absent-mindedly pulled on a long flowing red gown, a square cut at the chest and long sleeves, I struggled to calm down. My dramatic brown curls were loose and blowing wildly as I paced about the room.I had always assumed we never would find ourselves like this. This is how you build on your mate bond Fyre urged, getting out of this as one.Fyre had certainly matured in the past year.  Before she would suggest I turn rogue, run for the hills, and start again like an impetuous teenager. Now it was like having a wise old sage living in my head. I felt Fyre bristle at the comparison, you should try listening to me then, was her annoying response.Internally I raged at Fyre about how angry I was, how long it's been going on, getting silence b

Natasha.  After hearing her name emerging from Lucien's dreamy state I had sat in shock for a while. Every burgeoning fantasy in which I could be seen as something more, by someone other than Bram was shattered. Instead, I felt a new level of foolishness.Natasha...the name circled my mind, taunting me. At best perhaps a relative, at its worst a lover, a mate even. But that "Natasha...please," was so desperate, he was dreaming of a woman he was desperate for.As soon as he'd said that I lifted my hand away, clearly no longer the right thing to be doing. But then his groaning and pain started again. Through the odd flashes of lightning, I could see how close he was to smashing his face against the stone ledge in our tiny cave.Reluctantly I placed my hand back on his neck, wondering what was the right thing to do. Eventually, I managed to lie down close to his softly sleeping, snoring body with my hand resting upon the top of his chest.

I'm crashing through the pine forest, cursing Viktor for the thousandth time today. Why the fuck are we doing this? Lugging two massive bags laden with goods with gold to spare I should be on cloud nine. I walked out of that cabin, walked out on Bella to be precise yesterday and my scars are tormenting me like never before. I made it into Silver City, trying to look casual, my scars covered by my high cloak hood. I hoped that people would just assume I was a Beta guard and pay me no heed. I hadn't even gotten my first purchases organised before I had to start rubbing and grinding my hand against my neck. I knew I looked bizarre but it felt as though someone was wiping me down with boiling oil. Wave after wave of mind-numbing pain. My breathing was all over the place, sweat trickled down my face. I wouldn't serve you in my shop, grumbled Viktor. You look insane. I can't help it, you know I can't it's too much pain I managed to reply through gritted tee

His embrace was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, hungry, powerful, and searching. His hands grasped me as close to him as possible, my body moulding to the outline of his. A shuddering breath escaped from him as I returned his embrace. Placing my hand on his neck pulling him towards me felt so natural. Without thinking my other hand finally felt and groped his chest, shoulders, all those rippling muscles that had teased my imagination. His hand slowly travelled down the side of my arm, resting against my ribcage, every movement he made sending a cascade of tingling sensations. Kissing my neck roughly, I felt myself giddily sinking into the bed, my head rolling back and my chest arching up to meet his caresses. The roughness of his hands was exhilarating, each finger has its own distinct sensation as it travelled down the bare skin of my arm. His hand teased at the hem of my tank top, daring to go further. “Lucien,” I sighed, unable to th

My room had a large four-poster bed, hot shower, and every other luxury I could desire. After submerging in a hot bath, luxuriating in those rare bubbles like a queen I ate an enormous meal of rich meats, vegetables, and cheeses. I definitely didn't eat like a queen but I could not help myself., the novely of being a relaxed, normal situation was still so bizarre.Every second I expected the door to be kicked open and a guard to drag me back to Silver City. Or that I'd wake up and find it had all been a dream anyyway, the grey four walls of my cell surrounding me once more. There were some books above the mantelpiece, a cosy fire burning brightly. I still found myself clock-watching. The hours ticked by endlessly and it was soon past midnight.I wanted to hear his footsteps on the landing, to know he was back safe. Constantly admonishing my stupidity, I told myself an assassin would not have footsteps loud enough for me to hear. He will simply assume I am asleep and no