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“The rose moon is coming. According to the astronomers, it’s only a month away. It marks one hundred years since the curse was cast. If it rises, our curse will become permanent.”
“Sixty years ago, Isabelle came through the mountain gate. She lived nearby to the entrance in a town called Ironhill. I remember it, because the name was amusing. Ironhill—like the humans hoped to scare us away from their home.”
Only Thorne would find it amusing that a town would be so afraid of him they might name themselves after the one thing that resists faerie magic.
“Before Isabelle left, I intended her to be my bride. Obviously, I couldn’t allow her to wither with age, so I gave her an enchanted necklace. As long as she wore it, she would remain just as young as she was on the day I met her.”
Music is everything to me. I love the emotion of it. I love how a song can change someone’s mood instantly, turning a bad day into a hopeful one with only a few notes. I love how a single song can unite strangers.
At the very least, I’d stand up for myself. But I don’t. I can’t. I’ve become a side character in my own life, and right now, I just want to escape.
The Beast is coming.
“Oh my God, I’m losing my mind,” I say out loud, putting my head in my hands. “I doubt that, Peaches.”
I whip my head toward the speaker, my jaw dropping—literally. I have to consciously close it so I don’t look even crazier than I already do. I changed my mind: I do know what I find attractive.
Sitting beside me is the most physically gifted man I’ve ever seen.
“You don’t like her books?” “No, it’s not that. Her books are amazing. I’ve read them so many times I could probably recite them from memory.” “Then why the frown?” I sigh. “I guess I’m just not in a happily ever after mood lately. Nana writes these incredible stories about fantasy kingdoms and fated romance. I don’t know…I’ve been in the real world too long to buy into the magic.”
“In my experience, Peaches, every world is a bitch in its own way and magic only makes things more complicated.”
“You’ll be back. I’m not done with you yet.”
Without a word, I lean toward Daemon and press my lips to his. I hope he was serious about liking crazy girls.
In my head, I’m a slut. But in reality, I just read a lot of spicy books.
My heart does a stupid little pitter-patter, and suddenly I understand what the word “swoon” means.
“Shit,” the strange man curses behind me. “Ashwater! Get down here, your damsel is in fucking distress.”
I love this!
Would you rather that your one night stand kidnapped you and took you to a castle full of monsters, or that you’re really hallucinating in a mental hospital amidst a divorce-induced psychotic break?
That means that I’m actually standing outside a castle filled with goblins. I actually almost got eaten by a wolf. And the guy I picked up at a bar can actually fly. I’m not in fucking Kansas anymore.
“Excuse him. I wish I could say the ninety years in prison are to blame for his manners but he was always like this. I’m Kastian.”
“She’s not. It’s been sixty years, but I remember my friend. Belle wasn’t afraid of me. This isn’t her.”
“Sorry, I think I just had a mini stroke, but I’m good now. You’re immortal. No big deal. I’m totally fine.”
“Hate to interrupt, but I don’t think we’re at the sexually charged banter portion of the show!”
“I told you, I’m not going to let anything happen to you. As long as I’m breathing, no one will touch you.”
“Okay, I changed my mind, the wings aren’t scary. Let’s go, fly boy. Beam me up or whatever.”
Even if it’s the last thing I ever do—and it probably will be—I’ll make sure no one hurts you.”
“You were busy,” I say. “I’m not going to wait around for any man. My time and attention belong to people who are thinking about no one but me.” Without warning, his hand shoots out and lands on the wall behind my head, boxing me in. He leans down so his mouth is mere inches from mine and bares his teeth. “Then I should get every single minute of your fucking attention.”
“I didn’t realize you cared.” I shake my head. “There’s a lot of things you don’t seem to realize, Peaches. And I don’t know whether I should be thanking the fucking gods for that or shaking you until you understand.”
“But be careful what you call me, Peaches. Next time you say something like that, I’m going to take it as an invitation to spank you.”
“The only thing that would make me happier is if there’s a music store around here. If you could get me a new violin, I wouldn’t just let you spank me, I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”
I believe him—but I also suspect the real reason he survived so long wasn’t just magic. It was loyalty. And leadership. And now, knowing who his father was… I can see why Thorne was threatened by him.
“Do we hate them? I mean, I’ve known the triplets for nearly a century, but if you hate them, I am totally on your side.” I appreciate the blind loyalty,
“Fine, Peaches. You win. I won’t hunt him down, but if he or anyone else ever touches you again I won’t just kill them, I’ll burn down the fucking kingdom.”
Thorne meets the servants on the edge of the dance floor and lifts a glittering gold violin from the case. He holds it up to the crowd, nodding proudly as if he himself was the one to forge it, then walks back over to present the instrument to Alix. “For you, my rose.”
“Do I really have to be the one to point out the obvious?” Jett blurts out. “She’s your bonded.”
“Mostly how I’m the biggest fucking hypocrite in Ellender.” “What do you mean?” He rolls over to look at me. “I mean I hate Throne for not trying harder to save his kingdom, but I’m here willing to let them all burn if it means I can have you for just a minute longer. I’d bargain with every life in Vernallis to keep you.”
“Tu es tellement belle que je ne peux pas me contrôler en ta présence.”
“Je suis amoureux de toi, mais tu vas être ma mort.” “What does that mean?” “It means you’re a beautiful demon sent here to torture me.”
“Tu te sens tellement bien Pêches. Je ne désirerai jamais personne d’autre que toi.”
“Je pense que tu es mon soul-bond,” he says, breaking our kiss.
My entire body is loose and lazy, but at those words, my eyes widen and I pull back from him again.
“I fucking love you, Alix. I love you–” he looks back at his friends “—I love all of you, but I can’t protect any of you. I’ve exhausted everything I can think of and it wasn’t enough, so you have to go. I’d gladly sacrifice my last minutes with you if it means you’re safe.”
“Fuck off,” Daemon growls. Jett grins. “That’s exactly right. He’s fine.”
“—the curse will only break when the King of Vernallis admits he is powerless and sacrifices whomever he loves most.” A feeble voice interrupts.
“There’s this interesting thing about monarchies. The king can never really be dead because the very second one ruler dies, the reign of his heir begins. There is always a king of Vernallis.” And then, I get it.
“I see what you mean now,” I say. “I mean, I did before, but now it’s really clear.” She furrows her brow at me. “I don’t know if you’re picking up bad habits from us or what, but you really need to work on explaining yourself better.”
“He’s a good leader. I think he’ll make sure everyone recovers.” “So will you,” she points out.
“No, I need you to understand this.” His fingers tangle in my hair and he holds me still, forcing me to keep meeting his eyes. “There will never be anyone else for me. Ever. That’s how bonds work. I can’t ever leave you and I won’t want to anyway, but if it hasn’t kicked in for you yet you could still go. You don’t have to—”
“You’re saying I’m your soul-bond.”
“You’re mine, Alix. Forever. I’ll never think about anyone else, never want anyone else. I’ll follow you anywhere for the rest of my fucking life.”
