Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 721 - Chapitre 730

803

Chapter 721: Commitments

Endings can be bitter or sweet. I chose sweet.Though the stronghold remained in the hands of the Brotherhood, that was all they managed to hold. I had no idea what kind of friends Piers hung out with, but the term "hacker" seemed to fit.How did I know? Coterie Industries took a nose dive only weeks after conclave ended and, from what I could tell, was about to collapse altogether under allegations of fraud and deception.The other Councils kept Mom-and through her, me-in gleeful information, mostly about the uncovering of Brotherhood members scattered through all territories. I had no doubt, with the loss of Mom not so long ago, Belaisle planned to infiltrate another Council to balance his hold on Applegate.Now he wouldn't get the chance.Most of the fleeing Brotherhood members did manage to escape, though, from the sick look on Mom's face the time or two I was present when she received mental updates, I didn't want to know what the witches did to the sorcerers they managed to

Chapter 722: Nice Day For A Wedding

Book Nineteen: Coven LeaderSo weird, this image of me reflected back from the mirror. I'd wanted cream or even a color, but Mom and Shenka-and all the other women in my life who thought they had a say-insisted on white.I wasn't an angel. But as I stood there, looking at myself in my wedding dress, I smiled.And felt like one.Slow breathing did wonders for the wild pounding of my heart as Mom lifted the lace veil and pinned it to the back of my piled curls. Tears glistened in her eyes as, with trembling hands, she released the fall of soft fabric , the sigh of it behind me like the exhale of all the sadness I'd ever felt. Gone with the excitement of what I was about to do.I fidgeted a little with the skirt of my gown, loving the halter style, the way the dress clung to me in shining folds of satin. While I knew Mom would have preferred to dress me in a princess concoction of froth and poof, I'd won this argument.Mostly because I didn't give her a choice and just went to the

Chapter 723: Disapproval Noted

I paused at the top of the stairs, listening to the laughter and chatter going on below. The warm evening enveloped me as I stood there in the dark of the landing and absorbed the happiness of my family and friends.Okay then. Show, road, hit it.I drifted downstairs, grateful for the low-heeled shoes Shenka sighed over but finally agreed to let me wear. Heels would have killed me, the condition I was in, as the butterfly hop was in full swing all over my insides again with no hint their little party planned to wrap up anytime soon.I was ready. But that didn't mean I was allowed to be all calm and dignified about it.Someone had turned out the hall light, probably to hide the wedding party from the gathered guests milling about in the back yard. It was decorated much as it had been for Sunny and my Uncle Frank's wedding, soft lights and floating panels of gauze. But a heavy blue carpet replaced the red one the undead couple used, and the points of decoration were in all colors of

Chapter 724: Procession

I stood at the back of the giggling line, forcing myself to smile as the girls turned and waved at me. Trill went first, flowers clutched in her hands like a lifeline. I grinned, a real one, at the sound of hooting from who had to be Apollo, her inappropriate brother, and thanked him silently for breaking my funk.Sunny went next, Charlotte behind her. Mom waited with Meira as Shenka strode out with her shoulders back, confident in her high heels.Meira saluted me with her bouquet before heading off after the others. Weird, it felt surreal, almost like it was just Uncle Frank and Sunny getting married again. Except, this time, I was the one in the white dress.Mom took my free arm, not looking at Dad. I looked back and forth between them, heart sad, asking myself for the millionth time if this was worth it.My Steam Union friend, Piers Southway, didn't seem to think love was a good reason to get married. And considering the fact the man I loved the most just walked out without tryi

Chapter 725: Congratulations In Order

I leaned to the side as Varity began, bent and kissed the top of Galleytrot's head. The giant black hound sighed, red fire in his eyes dying as he sank to his haunches, tongue lolling out in a happy doggy smile.Happy wedding day, he sent.Thank you, I answered, calm at last, stomach settling into quiet. I worried you didn't want us to go through with it.I just wanted to be sure you wouldn't hurt him, the big hound's mind rumbled like a thunderstorm in the distance, the scent of spring rain reaching me. That you wouldn't change your mind at the last minute.My eyes returned to Liam. Not a chance, I sent.Not now. Not ever.Varity was mercifully swift, the ceremony rather painless, though I remembered little of it afterward. The vows done, a pair of rings firmly on our fingers, I took Liam's hands in mine and opened up the family magic to him."Welcome, Liam O'Dane," I said, the coven's power linking to him, making him a part of our union of souls, adding the richness of his Sid

Chapter 726: New Home

The Sidhe cavern welcomed us with a sigh of power, embracing me as though understanding we were now one, Liam and I. It was odd to be suddenly in the cool dimness, a vast change from the chattering noise and laughter of the back yard.Liam didn't seem to notice, sweeping me into his arms, carrying me across the threshold of his room, setting me gently down on the bed before closing the door. I felt the wards part, the touch of Galleytrot's power as he arrived, settling in to guard us. We'd already discussed with him our desire to have our first night alone, without interruption.I knew the big hound would do everything he could to give us our privacy.Liam stood looking at me, wonder and a hint of shyness in his face.Seriously? I stood, went to him as he ran his fingers through his hair, blushing again."I love you, Syd." His hands shook as he stroked the veil back from my shoulders."Silly," I said. "I love you, too." I slid my hands under his jacket, slipped it from his should

Chapter 727: Europe

Why did I think I'd be traveling alone? The moment I stepped back from kissing Liam goodbye, Charlotte took her place at my side, expression flat and no-nonsense.I rolled my eyes at her and took my werefriend's hand. "Yes, Mom," I said.My actual mother laughed as Charlotte's expression softened into a grin. "You two be good now," she said. "Play nice with the nasty vampire lady."We'd see.The veil parted before me, Charlotte right at my side as Ahbi scooped us up and carried us, in a pair of heartbeats, across the Atlantic. I stepped out of the rubbery membrane and into a large office to the startled but welcoming power of the European Council Leader.She stood from behind her desk, coming around to take my hand, shaking first mine and then Charlotte's."Syd," Femke said, tall, lean body towering over me, faint Scandinavian accent coloring her English, "that was fast. I just spoke to your mother."I shrugged and sat in one of the velvet-upholstered chairs, eyes drifting to th

Chapter 728: Castle Wilhelm

I walked the length of the throne room at Castle Wilhelm, smiling at the welcoming vampires who nodded to me as we passed. Not the greeting I had initially, back when Batsheva Moromond led the blood clan, when the Brotherhood's taint controlled and manipulated the vampires. It was a nice change, the friendly greetings, compared to "We hate you forever, Sydlynn Hayle."Well, most of the vampires welcomed me. With one clear and furious exception. Piotr Wilhelm used to keep his distance, his twisted heart still aimed right at my destruction. For some reason beyond any understanding, he blamed me for the death of Yvette, his beloved queen. Personally, any ruler who fell to the likes of Batsheva Moromond got what she deserved.This time was different, for the first time. His go-to tattletale recipient was gone, since Council Leader Margaret Applegate's retreat from the leadership and her ties to the Brotherhood ended with conclave. Piotr's frustration shone clear on his face as he took a

Chapter 729: Tainted Blood

Sunny went right to her rival, lifting the fallen queen into her arms with a tenderness I didn't expect. The Sthol Family Blood Clan moaned around the room, seemingly worse affected by the draining than the Wilhelm's had been. Piles of fallen vampires lay everywhere, tangled among themselves as though they'd clung to each other for support prior to collapsing.They've been under the influence of the taint far longer, Sunny sent. And, from the feeling of them, being the main focus since you freed my family hasn't served them well.I crouched next to Pannera as Charlotte and Piers paced around the room, assisting the vampires. The queen's eyes fluttered open, her face a sunken mummy mask, though not completely drained. But her clear gray eyes, almost colorless in shock, locked on mine, as full of life as they had ever been. She grasped my hand with a withered hand, nails digging into my skin."What..." she trailed off. "What's happened?"Sunny soothed her, feeding her energy even as

Chapter 730: Vampire Revelations

I didn't really think she had the right to be so pissed at me, considering the state she'd been in the last little while. And I'd been on the way to rescue her, hadn't I? Not my fault Ameline beat me to it.Sebastian stared at me with open adoration, making me all kinds of uncomfortable as he left his queen to come stand by my side. I could feel it then, now I'd lost my shaky, overly adrenalized moment of joy-joy. How he felt different, his power more like mine.More like a maji.A quick check from my vampire confirmed he was still undead, and yet..."I'm sorry," I said, not really feeling it at all, to be totally honest. At least, for Pannera. But when I looked up at Sebastian, regret raised its ugly head. "I didn't mean to break your blood bond." I thought of Charlotte, spotted her loping back into view, shifting into full human form as she shook her head.Right. Celeste. Managed to escape, it appeared. But watching my werefriend gave me an idea as Sebastian's new power crawled

Dernier

...

71 72 73 74 75

...

Scanner le code pour lire sur l'application