Marko’s harsh landing on the car’s engine caused the hood to cave in, halting the car instantly. A mistake, he realised belatedly when the car’s contents, Alba included, rocked forward due to inertia, but something held her back.Relief filled him at that ‘something’, even though it did not save the driver as an airbag popped, bending his neck quite awkwardly.He didn’t care.The car was inches from flying off the cliff; if the crash hadn’t killed him, he would have done it personally.For a moment, he let the night wash over him as her scent filled the air.He could smell the pharmaceutics lacing her blood, but through his bond, her aliveness pulsated.He had finally found his heart after days of fighting, days of killing, days of reeking, nothing but blood that did not belong to him.His hands reached for the car’s roof, prying it open as one would the lid of a can.Her pulse was the first thing he reached for, but her neck was bandaged with a few bruises scouring her cheek, eyes an

His mouth moved, but nothing came. She had said once that he reminded her of Red Graw or something along those lines, but…surely things were different between them. He genuinely loved her; unlike those examples the fragment gave. As if sensing his hesitation, she continued. “I do this hurtful thing to you because I love you…because I want to protect you because you cannot do this on your own because you need me to think for you, to save you. Because you are not capable. Because you are weak. Because I Love you. Because I love you. Because…I love you.” She uttered in the silence that followed, leaving him, for the first time in his life, speechless. His mind racked hastily to find words that would defend him. “I would never hurt Alba in the way the Alpha did.” He uttered. “I would never justify violence against her or leave marks on her.” “Mm…you would never hurt her. You would never leave marks on her.” She repeated. “Why not say you would never hit her or leave visible ma

The tightness of my black dress does not ease the hole in my chest. Sharon has declared me healthy; she has neither spotted nor noticed anything odd. Kaisa has come back to me, but the feeling of Jax in my arms, rapidly losing warmth, has not left me. Then again, neither have the nightmares, the constant vigilance even in situations that don’t require it, and the flinching every time someone mentions Red Graw. It is as if the kidnapping was not the worst part; my body still does not register that I am safe. Am I safe? Safe from assassination attempts and from more suicidal drivers? Good god, I used to own a boutique in simplicity; my only danger was catching feeling and now… cannot even sleep. Violet’s hand laces in mine before she rests her head on my shoulder. “I am sorry.” I whisper. I do not know why, but I feel as though I betrayed our friendship either by having the powers he wanted or introducing them when we first moved to the city together. Then again, killing him sho

The speeches went on as protocol dictated, and despite the sombre nature of the events, I could still see a sea of people curiously awaiting my turn as if they could ask questions like in a conference. This is not my first time speaking publicly, but perhaps due to my inability to answer the question of what keeps me in Ketria, they are more than curious about my speech now that people have actually died in my name. Or perhaps I am over-reading this. Either way, I hate this. I…do not think I am worth thirty-six or thirty-eight lives; I do not think anyone is. To add to that, I have no formal plans to be their queen, but this is hardly the time or place to confirm or deny that. But honestly, I must hint; otherwise, it will feel like a betrayal when I finally find a decent excuse to leave Ketria. “I welcome Alba Crane as the representative of the temple of Ketria to offer some words of comfort.” I almost wink at Mother Magdalene for her smooth introduction of me as ‘High Priestes

The sun is out now, and the day is no longer gloomy. It no longer feels as if the entire Ketria is in mourning.“What happened to your dress? Did you fall?”Marko’s question causes my gaze to move to my dress before the memory of the angry little one finds me again.A smile plays on my lips.Children are quite honest with their emotions and vulnerabilities. Will mine be like that?Christ, I am both terrified and excited.“Fall? No, I just brushed up on something.”“Here.”He says as he offers a flask and leans on one of the gravestones in the cemetery.The speech part of the ceremony is over, so most of the guests have left for the meal portion of the event in the palace.I want to ask why he is still here, but I know the answer has to be me.Either that, or my head is getting too big for my body.“What is inside?”I ask as I take the flask without awaiting his answer.“It’s a pain killer.”“A pain killer?”I repeat.“What the hell kind of painkiller is in a flask.”“What the hell kin