Hidden Crown Halo Reviews Novels & Stories

My tutor's headaches earned their keep as my hand found the seams men lay over truth and tugged. "First bell confirmed," I murmured. "Wick paid, tripled. 'Repeat at dusk if no receipt signed.' A meeting marked for...Conclave Hall, three days hence." I swallowed. "Winter Solstice business. Crowns and merchants and the church, noses all at the same trough." "Bold," Jas said from the door, as much admiration as contempt. "Here," I said, pointing to a particularly self-satisfied flourish. "'R reconciliation package drafted for missing asset.'"

“I know.” A small, breathless smile curved his mouth. “And I love you too,” she whispered. Below them, the lake caught the light and held it, and the forest around it carried that warmth inward—through root and stone, through corridor and heart—until it reached the quieter halls of the palace, where another choice waited with equal patience. Corren stood alone in the Hall of Roots, the Verdant Crown resting upon its living pedestal. It was not forged by fire but shaped by time—wood veined with gold, leaves eternally green along its arch. The chamber smelled of earth and rain, ancient and steady.

“I know.” “You can tell me to stop.” Jamie looked at him. Really looked. The scar. The control. The restraint that felt like it was holding something dangerous in check. “I don’t want you to stop,” Jamie said, then winced. “I mean….” Adrian didn’t smile. He didn’t gloat. He just nodded, like that answer fit into something he’d already decided. “Good,” he said. Behind them, unseen but aware, La Corona Nera watched. And after midnight, Bar Della Luna closed its doors, keeping its secrets, for now.

"Is a guest here. Her father provided us with an army to lead--" "Her father?" Moira echoes and Randale stares at me with suspicion, their eyes flicking to the crown seated on my updo at the same time. I'd domed after a quick bath on the way this morning. It is one of the many that I'd received upon my initiation into court. This one was from father. Crafted from platinum, it cradles a stone of amethyst at its centre. From its base, two delicate chains of silver drape gracefully down the sides of my head like waterfalls, adorned with tiny pearls that shimmer like dewdrops.

I move as quickly as I could to the raised platform sliding on my knees across the golden built bench that the golden coated box holding the prince's crown lies. Considering my extraordinary streagth opening the box proves quite easy. Reaching inside the box my long fingers lock around one of the crown's side and I pry it out of the box. The diamond hoops rising from the crown ring shimmers in the dim light. Golden stars and a band of pearls joining in the middle under an orb of blue ename with a unique curve at the top. What an impressive work of art? Too bad I'm going to make it an impressive crown of shame hours from now. I am going to make Wilson's party a traumatic event that no one wil

The silver markings beneath her skin flared violently bright. Cassian unwrapped the object slowly. A crown. Black silver twisted into sharp moon-shaped points. Ancient. Terrifying. Beautiful. The second Kael saw it— He froze. Completely. Cassian’s gaze locked onto him. “You recognize it.” Kael’s expression became dangerously unreadable. “No.” But the denial came too slowly. Too uncertainly. Cassian lifted the crown slightly. “The Shadow Crown.” A violent pulse shot through Lyra’s body. Suddenly another vision slammed into her mind—

For once, I did not try to make myself appear smaller. Greta adjusted the fabric over my shoulder and smiled at my reflection. “You look like a Luna.” “I am a Luna.” Her smile widened. “Exactly.” On the vanity rested the ceremonial crown. It was not delicate. Ironclaw did not create delicate things. The crown was made of dark silver, shaped like two wolves facing each other beneath a crescent moon. Small black stones had been set into the metal, catching the morning light. I lifted it carefully. My hands trembled.

“I promise.” Promises were easy to make, but keeping them was another matter. ********* Just before sunset, the guards announced that the breeder had arrived. My heart sank. I stood beside Kael in the entrance hall as the heavy doors opened. A young woman stepped inside. She couldn’t have been more than twenty. Golden curls framed a delicate face, and her pale blue dress hung loosely over her slender figure. She looked around nervously before lowering her gaze. “So this is the Alpha’s breeder,” one of the elders murmured.