Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

ASTRIDNow that I have a directive, a job to do, my mind locks in.Most of my fellow humans here are toned for aesthetic, not athletics; I highly doubt they’ve ever taken a punch to the face.Not that I particularly enjoy doling out violence, but in this moment, I’m so relieved the queen chose a non-penetrative activity for me to publicly prove myself with, bare-knuckle boxing sounds like a privilege.Even if it’s meant to entertain the very people who strung my father up. Who strung Everett’s father up.The older woman seated next to Cayden and myself has thankfully removed her pet’s head from beneath her skirts. She pushes him forward as I stand up. He wipes his glistening mouth with the back of his forearm.“Ram will fight,” she says. “Back in Werin, combat between pets is considered an artform.”All I know about Werin, I learned while listening in on my father’s secret rebel meetings.Across the Moonlight Channel from Phaegia is the continent of Ebrone. Both continents used to be

ASTRIDIn my dream, Luca is frightened and bleeding. The brown wolf has him pinned beneath its paws, but the beast has yet to bear down.This time, I’m able to reach them. This time, I drive my dagger into the wolf’s spine. As it gasps out its dying breath and I reach down to Luca, though, my brother’s face transforms.Suddenly, Ollie stares back up at me.I jolt awake.The first thing I register is just how soft the bedding is, like lamb’s wool. Then I register how unfamiliar the rest of my surroundings are as well. These aren’t the walls of my home—nor, I think as my mind catches up to the present, the walls of Cayden’s residence.Squinting around, I spot a table I recognize, then a door.I’m in Cayden’s bedchamber. And I have no clue how I got here.I go to sit up and nearly black out.Every part of me feels like it’s had a turn under the blacksmith’s hammer, but the pain lancing across my forehead is debilitating.The last thing I remember is breaking Ram’s nose, but a headbutt sh

ASTRIDCayden holds his arms out, his shoulders thrown back.Belatedly, I realize he wants me to pull off his embroidered tunic.That comes off easily enough, but next is his shirt, fastened up the entire front as well as at the cuffs.I have to maneuver myself so I’m in front of him. My fingers, usually so nimble, tremble, slipping against the silver fastenings.I’m exhausted by the effort of standing, but as I finally pull the shirt from his arm, my fingers brushing the underside of his wrist, I can’t help but notice how soft his skin is, even while the muscles below are so firm.It’s because he’s never done a real day’s work in his life, I think, but still, the sensation stays with me.I have to bend slightly to undo the fastenings at the front of his trousers, but I keep my eyes firmly averted as I slide them down his sturdy, long legs, focusing instead on the curve of his calf, the way the muscle divides from the bone and then comes back together, like a river.His body is beauti

ASTRID“I hope you’re living up to Master Jules’s standards,” is all Grace says when she shuts the door behind us.I don’t respond, only hold out the pouch he gave me. She takes it, peers inside, and snorts.“Ever the sycophant,” she says, rolling her eyes. “But I suppose it works for him.”I wouldn’t exactly say Grace has grown on me over the past week—she’s stern as a gravedigger whenever I see her—but Cayden’s trust in her has rubbed off.Her role encompasses much more than that of a head maid; I’ve even seen her balancing his budget.She seems to have unrestricted access to not only his quarters but the palace as a whole, though I don’t think the rest of the royal family prioritizes her quite so highly.Given what Maggie told me about her inability to transform, I imagine they can be quite cruel to her.I wonder if the same is true for the mute, Elias. He’s like Cayden’s shadow—but one that can be sent on secret errands.Together, he and Grace make for an unassuming, yet all seein

CAYDEN“Try and leave a little spotlight for Cayden, yeah?” Valerius calls out to Jace as the latter bags yet another stag with his crossbow. “Especially during the hunting festival.”“Awww,” Jace calls back jovially, hopping down from his horse. “He’s just holding back for now, letting me have all the fun.” He looks over at Cayden, perched atop his chestnut steed, and winks. “Isn’t that right, your highness? You’re saving your longbow skills for Princess Charlotte’s eyes only?”“Or should we go ahead and call you the prince consort of Werin already?” Valerius cackles, his golden-blonde hair gleaming, his silver-blue eyes crinkled in mirth. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlotte’s begging to consummate the relationship after watching you, ah, perform. She asked for you specifically as her escort, after all.”Cayden just rolls her eyes, not deigning to respond.It feels good to be out in the forest, just the three of them.The palace has been insane, with nobles from every corner of Pha