جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

The memory of my brothers laughing about the "beast’s snack" and Calani’s crude remarks about the Prince’s size flashed through my mind. Back then, it had been a terrifying joke. Now, it was a question about my dignity."He bit me to save my life," I said, the lie tasting like copper. "The King wanted proof of the bond. Without this, I’d be dead and you wouldn't be standing here alive.”Mirabel flinched, pulling her hand back to her chest. The relief on her face was ugly, it was a sharp jagged thing she couldn't hide. She was horrified for me, yes, but she was also clearly glad it wasn't her skin being marked."I remember what Ricky said," she murmured, looking away. "About the 'beast' wanting something unripe. I used to stay awake at night wondering if Father knew he was sending you to be mauled."I scoffed, “Of course he knew," I said. "He just didn't care because he didn't consider me part of his children."Mirabel looked like she wanted to cry, but she didn't have the right. She ha

Sometime later I woke up slowly, my mind foggy until a rhythmic, blunt friction against my leg pulled me fully into consciousness. I didn't move, I didn't even breathe. I was pressed against something solid and radiating heat, my body angled in a way that told me I was no longer on my side of the bed.I blinked my eyes open, staring into the shadows. My heart stopped.At some point in the night, the distance between us had vanished. I was practically on top of him, my chest flush against his side and my leg hooked slightly over his hip. I felt the coarse linen of his undershirt against my cheek.Then I felt it again. A steady, subconscious movement.Eilis was still asleep, his breathing deep and even, but the "beast" wasn't entirely dormant. His dick was hard, pressing firmly against the bare skin of my inner thigh. With every slow breath he took, he shifted, a low, instinctive hump that dragged the heat of him against me.The terror I’d felt earlier was joined by a frantic, dizzying

RAVENI walked down the hallway toward the breakfast room, my mind still a mess from the night before. I kept thinking about how Eilís would react when he saw me, and if he’d know I was awake for all of it.I rounded the corner and stopped.Eilís was standing in an alcove a few feet away. He was talking to a noblewoman I’d never seen before. She looked comfortable around him—too comfortable. As I watched, she reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.Eilís didn't flinch. He didn't pull away like he usually did when people got close. He just stood there, listening to her.I felt a weird pull in my chest, but I forced myself to look away. It shouldn't matter to me who he talked to. I kept walking, focusing on the floor until I reached the dining hall doors. The room was already half-full, and the smell of food made my stomach growl. I walked up to the head of the table and gave a small, respectful nod.“Good morning, Your Majesty,” I said, keeping my voice light.The King looked

The walk to the library was long. I followed Devon through the hallways, trying to keep my pace steady. My boots made a quiet sound on the stone floor. Every time we passed a window, the morning sun hit the walls, but the palace still felt cold.I was still thinking about breakfast. Eilís had acted like I wasn't even there. Then there was Kiya. The way she had her hand on his shoulder made my stomach turn. I didn't know why it bothered me so much, but it did."You're very quiet, Raven," Devon said. He didn't look back, but I could tell he was waiting for me to say something. "Is the air too thin for you up here? I’ve heard the South is much heavier."I cleared my throat. I had to make sure my voice was high and soft before I spoke. "I'm just tired, Lord Devon. It was a long morning.""I’m sure," he said. He stopped in front of two big wooden doors. "Eilís isn't a morning person. I heard he was out of your room before the sun even came up. He seemed to be in quite a hurry."I felt my f

The walk back from the library felt longer than it should have. I was nearly at the turn for my quarters when I saw Kiya. She was standing by one of the narrow windows, her hands folded in front of her. She looked peaceful, just watching the sun.I tried to keep my pace steady, but she turned and offered a small, warm smile before I could pass."Oh, you were still at the library?" she said. Her voice was soft, almost kind. I stopped a few feet away, keeping my hands hidden in my skirts."It’s a beautiful room, isn't it?" she asked, stepping away from the window. She moved toward me with a slow, easy grace. I nodded, not sure where she was going with this."Eilís belongs to these mountains, you know," she said, her tone still light, like she was sharing a fond memory. "He’s part of the pack, part of the cold. It’s in his blood. That’s why we worry about him so much."She reached out then. The movement was so natural I didn't have time to pull back. She ran her fingers through a stray l