Attachments Rainbow Rowell Novels & Stories

he argued. I grunted in my seat. He took something out of his pocket. “Happy birthday, cherie,” he said, handing me a box with a ribbon tied around it. “What’s this?” “Looks like a birthday gift to me,” he said. I raised my brow at him, and then untied the ribbon and opened the box. My mouth dropped when I saw the gleaming necklace with a large heart-shaped purplish-red pendant. The pendant was surrounded by clear diamonds. “Wow,” I breathed. “This is beautiful. What stone is this?”

There was no going back to the way things had been, and at the same time, everything was relentlessly moving on. Rowan revealed his masterpiece the day Emilio was incarcerated. It was a tattoo that covered the grotesque scar on my body, reshaping it into a long, magnificent sword woven with blossoming flowers. It was a permanent sign that, though no child would come from this area, it was now a place flourishing with life. Rowan lowered his head and gently placed a kiss on my abdomen. His voice came out strained and low, asking, "Do you like it, Calista?" I gently ruffled his hair, replying, "I like it, my beloved Diske."

Rowan smile brightly, while his hands were still on her waist, he stood still without even fluttering despite the murmurings that erupted from the crowd. “Well, I just did,” he responded coldly and he seemed unmoved with what the elder said. Suddenly, the silver mark on my wrist began to burn and the pain radiated to my arm. That’s when I realized, it’s because the sacred bond is wounded. Hot tears blurred my vision and it was about to roll down my cheeks, but I stopped it with the last strength in me. I don’t want to give Rowan and Seraphina that idea that I’m crying because I’m rejected by my mate. Just as if the embarrassment wasn’t enough, I heard a cruel and cold laughter from several n

Still, I was tense, my legs tightly crossed to prevent Rowan’s hand from finding my most intimate parts if he tried again—something I wasn’t sure I could silently endure without exposing him this time. To my relief, Rowan behaved during dinner. As we prepared to leave, Gabe offered me a ride, which I politely declined. Still, it seemed we’d leave Aneliese’s house together. I said goodbye to Aneliese, who said, “We need to do this again! It was great!” “Yes… it was. Thanks for the invitation.” Rarith was quieter, seemingly overtaken by tiredness and sleepiness. I kissed her delicate little face and finally offered my hand to Rowan for a handshake. But he pulled me against his body and kissed

“Where’s that bitch gone?” They held each other tighter. “Elara!” Rowan’s voice was music to her ears. Should she call back or was it still dangerous? Was it a trick? She closed her eyes, sensing her mate, feeling the strength of his heartbeat, feeling his concern. Could he feel her too? Feel her love for him, her fear, her resolve to protect her new friend? As if he heard her thoughts, he shouted again. “Over here!” The weeds were opened up, and Rowan looked down at her. She burst out crying the huge weight off her shoulders, the relief, it was just too much. He hoisted her up, then scooped her into his arms.

After spending some time calming her emotions, she returned to her workspace. Amy harbored little animosity toward Evelyn. Although deeply disappointed, a modern woman should be able to handle both victory and defeat. Moreover, the concept of fate couldn't be forced. As for Rowan, he looked down at the ring on his right ring finger after Amy's departure. He had put it on immediately after receiving it. Oliver had mentioned that Lara had seen this particular ring, so he intentionally called Lara in for a conversation to let her see that the ring he wore was indeed the one Evelyn had designed.

"Well, you can. But nothing is worse than getting snowballs stuck between the pads of your paws." "Ah, yeah. I can imagine." Rowan handed me one of the food containers and we sat on our snowmobiles to eat in relative quiet, watching the aurora continue its spirited dance. "I'm not going to apologize for punching you," Rowan said after a few minutes of silence. "I wasn't expecting an apology," I replied, closing up the empty container and putting it in my backpack. He did the same, but kept his eyes on me. "What was your reasoning for everything that happened in Mirage? What exactly did you gain from pretending to be Aaron of Red Lakes?"

he finished in one breath not being able to keep the Good News of his favorite Chazi's arrival. "I love you too. Good Night." The call was cut and Rowan grinned. The Orphanage and its inhabitants were mitigators for Rowan. Although it had requited him with the darkest memories 23 years ago, he still couldn't fathom the courage to leave it or break the steel bond he had. He kept the phone aside, his eyelids shutting making him land somewhere in a dark dreamland. DREAM Rowan was sitting under a cherry blossom with eyes closed when he listened a soft sound, more like gentle music. It was the same song - Can't help falling in love.

“I don’t want another bond.” “That’s not what I meant,” Rowan said. “I meant purpose. Choice. Ground you choose to stand on.” Her hand drifted to her stomach again. Rowan noticed. I didn't comment. Later that night, after Rowan left, Elara sat alone and let herself cry quietly for the first time since crossing Frostveil’s border. Not loud. Not breaking. Just enough to release the pressure. When she finally lay back, exhaustion pulled her under. This dream was different.

And Nate, injured, underestimated, finally fully awake, just used ink and wax to break an army’s spine. I look at Adrian, and the bond between us hums with the same conviction in both our blood: This ends now. Not next week. Not “eventually.” Now. Because if Rowan has any last trick left, it’s going to be aimed at the only thing he hasn’t managed to steal yet. Our choice.