The candles on shelves around the greenhouse threw shadows about while outside night had settled over the landscape. Strangely, the rest of the day had flown past without a single incident of me or the princes’ transforming. I’d researched the books for backup spells with no luck. It almost felt as if the universe had given us our last day of reprieve before snuffing away our lives. Still, my pulse was a raging bull.

  Last I saw, the other men were moving a huge porcelain tub from inside the house to the backyard as we had to be outside for moon magic. It was a bath that could easily fit all five us, and if I had known such a large tub existed, I would have taken a dip on my first night at the castle.

  Leven’s fingers intertwined with mine, his thumb caressing the back of my hand. “So what now?” Despite his stature and half-smile, I heard the quiver beneath his words. No one had spoken about their fear, but it lingered at the forefront of my mind. I could tell because of how everyone stared off into the distance now and then while they ran around to keep busy. What was lacking were the jokes and laughter.

  “We make a paste out of half the roses. The rest we need to leave whole,” I explained.

  Without a word, Leven started dividing the pots at our feet between us. I crouched and gently pulled the delicate red petals free, placing them in my bowl. By the time we’d finished, I’d crushed mine into paste. Leven and I grabbed everything, and we traipsed outside.

  A dusting of snowflakes fell from the heavens, and the cold closed in around me. I trembled. Overhead, a heavily pregnant moon scaled the sky, glorious and with a silvery tinge.

  A light tingle wriggled down my arms, and on cue, the goddesses’ warning shivered down my spine. I’m well aware of the danger headed my way, Goddess. If there was ever a time for your intervention, it’s now. And if you do, I promise to never pester you again with inconsequential things like finding the right date for the town ball or helping Dad sell an invention.

  I hiccupped my next breath. I’m not ready to die or be replaced by Lilita.

  By the time we reached the rear of the castle, we stood on an open balcony, staring out over a snow-covered maze made of oversize hedges. I’d always dreamed of entering one of these—and there were so many other things I wanted to experience in life. Travel the world. Earn enough money to let Dad focus on his inventions in peace. Find a man or four who loved me for who I was. And, Goddess, as I face my mortality, I’ve come to the realization that I do want children, to grow old, and enjoy life. To stop hiding behind fear. So, just saying… any help would be appreciated.

  Leven and I took our time down the steps to avoid slipping on the slick surface and set our bowls next to the huge porcelain tub. Long and wide enough to fit all five of us and easily reached my waist. This was more of a pool than a bath. Wooden steps rested against one side offered an easy way to get into the water. A fire burned on either side of the tub and warmed up the bath. Steam curled upward from the glimmering surface, and the snow falling inside melted in an instant.

  Leven cuddled up against my back, his arms wrapped around my stomach. I leaned against him, and my words fell out, as if I had no control of them. “I’m scared of losing all of you, of never seeing my dad again, of unleashing Lilita onto the world.”

  His cheek grazed the side of mine, our breaths floating in front of us. “Don’t think like that. We will succeed. Grab hold of that and let your ability shine.” That time, his voice strengthened, and it filled me with power.

  I turned toward him, desperate to accept his words, to empty my mind of worries. “You’re right.” Mom hadn’t raised me to fall apart. She’d told me to face the world without hesitation, do anything I wanted. I had to believe in myself and harness my confidence.

  Lifting my chin, I met Leven’s mouth. Our lips pressed together, bonding, reminding me how much all four princes had affected me since first arriving in White Peak.

  “Hey, what about me?” Raze teased. When I twisted my head left, he rushed closer with arms open and hugged Leven and me. “We’ve got this. Nothing will get in our way.”

  The crunch of snow came from my right. Ash smirked and strolled over, then joined our huddle. The men’s warmth flooded me. “This isn’t the end,” Leven added.

  “Talin,” Ash howled. “Get over here. Group hug.”

  Before I could turn, Talin stood behind me, his body glued to mine. They crowded around me, showering me in their heat, their scents, their love.

  “Bee, you burst into our lives like a storm,” Talin began. “But now I can’t imagine not having you by our sides. If my brothers and I don’t make it out of this, I’ve prepared and signed a decree that makes you the sole owner of our castle and all belongings. You won’t have any authority to rule over White Peak, but I am giving you everything we own so you and your father will never endure hardship again.”

  His words weren’t sinking in at first and they twirled through my head. “What are you talking about?” I turned to face him amid the closed in walls of four bear shifters. “I will not let any of you die.”

  Talin kissed my mouth, soft and endearing, his hand against my cheek, shaking. “It’s a precaution, sweetie. There are no guarantees in life, but if anyone has a stronger chance of surviving tonight, it’s you. And I want to leave you something to remember us by.”

  Rage pumped through my veins, loathing his words because with them came defeat. And if I lost all four princes, how I could ever walk the halls of the castle without remembering our adventures, or enjoy a meal in the kitchen without recalling their laughter and jokes?

  “No.” I pushed my way out of the group, and tears pricked the corners of my eyes. “Don’t you get it? If I lose any of you, and by some miracle I survive, part of me will die tonight. I’d never be able to step foot in the castle again.”

  Talin stretched an arm out in my direction. “We just want to rest easy knowing… Knowing you’ll be okay.”

  “We want to provide for you,” Raze added.

  Leven pushed his hair off his face, and I adored the way his eyes melted when he looked at me. “Sugarplum, don’t you understand? We’ve all fallen so hard for you.”

  My heart shattered into pieces. They were offering me security in case they lost their fight, and they were smiling, while inside I was falling apart. Tears drenched my cheeks. I wanted to scream, run—anything to stop what might come our way, but I knew it was fruitless. I clenched my hands so hard, my nails dug into my palms.

  “I’ve given you my heart,” Ash said, placing a palm on his chest.

  The ragged beating of my pulse rattled me. My heart iced over, feeling as chilled as an iceberg. They had no right to say those things, not now, not when anything could happen. I’d prefer to think they showed me the affection to keep their beasts at bay, nothing else. That I could live with… but having all four of them stare at me with admiration and admitting their emotions were deeper and waiting for me respond… It was too much.

  My throat thickened, unable to take enough air into my lungs. Goddess, help me! Agony squeezed my stomach with invisible claws. I needed to say something, give my farewells should shit fly sideways.

  A chorus of shouting carried on the wind from the front of the castle.

  I shuddered, my thoughts flying to Rek’s family sending an army after us. Had they found the body and were coming for revenge? I had no idea who shouted? We were already in danger from the curse, let alone someone else coming for us.

  “What the fuck was that?” Raze didn’t wait for a response and vanished around the castle. Leven took the other side, along with Talin.

  Ash grabbed my arm, his fast breaths screaming dread, and he dragged me toward the stairs, leading us through the rear doors.

  But a surge of power sizzled through me as if someone had punched me. I gasped and folded over, my knees buckling out from under me, my arm falling loose from Ash’s grip.

  Pain seared through me and burned down to my hands, as if I’d thrust them into a fire. I screamed as the agony increased in waves.

  Energy crackled across my fingers like barbed wire whipping my hands.

  My heart clanged against my breastbone, and fear engulfed me, knocking all thoughts aside.

  Bee! Lilita’s voice reverberated in my skull over and over in a maddening chant. My nightmare had just awakened.

  Chapter 27

  Holding my middle, I pushed past the darkness spreading through me. I scrambled across the snowy lawn behind the castle, my eyes focused on the bowls with rose petals. The moon sat right above us, and I had expected a buildup, a warning, but the curse had hit like a storm. Ready to smite us.

  “Ash!” I cried out. “It’s happening now.”

  His footfalls grew heavy and sluggish behind me, his breaths wheezing. I fumbled with the rose petals in a bowl and pressed it into his hand.

  “Put them into the water.” My words raced.

  His eyes glazed over, and his body shimmered with the telltale signs of the onset of his change.

  I clenched his coat in my fists and dragged him closer, kissing him, hoping to buy us a few moments so I could gather the rest of the princes. Our lips merged, soft against me, starved… but nothing. Not a spark. I found emptiness.

  We broke apart and panic crawled across his gaze. “It’s not working.”

  Coldness tightened my throat. My thoughts flew to the woods when I’d kissed Raze with blood in his mouth, how quick we’d healed. I pulled the knife from my belt and without a single thread of hesitation, I slashed the meaty part of my palm, the blade biting into flesh. I gritted my teeth through the sting and stuck on the wound. The distinct coppery taste inundated my senses.

  “Try again,” I yelled.

  Ash gripped my shoulders and our lips locked. He took my tongue into his mouth, devouring me, and I trembled from his assertiveness.

  But there was still nothing, and I pulled away, my stomach churning. “Goddess!” Tears stabbed my eyes.

  “Why isn’t it working?” He grabbed the knife out of my grasp and cut his hand. He pulled me to him once again, but even before we kissed, a sickening sensation flooded me as Lilita grew stronger in my head.

  “Fuck!” Ash broke away, growling and swaying on his feet.

  “Get in the water. Add the petals,” I hissed, but my knees buckled out from under me. My head sang with Lilita’s humming.

  Ash, still holding on to the bowl of rose petals, grabbed my arm and hauled me up the steps toward the bath.

  In that moment, the three princes careened out from the edge of the castle. They ran along the stone veranda and down the steps.

  They were shouting something, their bodies flinching and convulsing. Each step had them stumbling. A paralyzing fear owned me as my mind emptied on what to do next. The corners of my eyes blurred, and at once, an invisible force ripped me backward and away from Ash.

  I tumbled to the ground.

  Ash tethered sideways and tripped into the water. The bowl in his arm tossed upward. Red petals flew everywhere. Half of them landed into the bath, the rest on the snow.

  Fear shook me, but I couldn’t lose everything. Not after Mom. Scrambling to my feet, I collected as many petals as I could find, then threw them into the water. Ash, still shaking, stumbled up and over the edge, falling onto his side and groaning. He got to his hands and knees and reached for the rest of the petals.

  I wobbled on my feet, my head spinning.

  Mom had always controlled her emotions during a spell, insisting they interfered with the enchantment’s intention. But I couldn’t stop the terror leaching to my insides. Nearby lay the bowl of crushed-up roses. I ran my fingers through the cold sludge and smeared the mixture over my palms.

  Lilita drummed in my skull, but I sank back on my heels and called forward my own powers. “Goddess, I call upon your guidance. Your strength.”

  In the face of no reaction, I raised my voice and summoned the force lying deep in my chest. The pure white light that always engulfed me kept me safe and fueled my ability.

  A faint trickle washed over my fingertips, but it sizzled with black lines that bounced over my fingers.

  Terror rattled me at the core.

  Lilita rammed forward.

  But so much hung in the balance. Dad’s face floated in my thoughts, followed by the princes’. I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood. “With the purity of the snow rose, I cleanse you, Lilita,” I repeated the words.

  A violent shiver tangled through me, shaking me.

  Lilita remained in my ear, shrieking, and I could have sworn she stood right next to me. But I never stopped chanting.

  Movement caught my eye to the princes contorting, their bodies stretching, bones cracking, skin splitting. Ash was by their side, hauling Leven toward the water. But his leg buckled under him, and he growled into the night.

  There was movement near the house. I glanced at the top of the steps and spotted a group of ten men, their shadows stretching out behind them. Who was that? My insides constricted. We didn’t need additional complication.

  Without a pause in my chant, I watched Ash get to his feet and shove his brothers, one at time, toward the tub.

  “Bee! There she is! Save her.” The male’s voice rang in my ears… so familiar.

  Leven exploded into a roar, then two others followed. Ash collapsed, his body stretching, elongating. His cries tore me apart.

  My palms burned, and I stared down at the black threads twisting tight around my fingers, except where I’d cut myself earlier, the wound had healed and the lightest trickle of white sparked.

  “Bee!” The voice came again, but Lilita thrashed inside me as if I had swallowed a serpent that now battled for escape.

  “I call upon the goddess of light. Cleanse me. Purify me.”

  The newcomers ran down the stairs. The glow from their flaming torches illuminated them. They wore the gray Terra guard uniforms.

  Then their faces came into focus. The dicks who bullied Dad and… his face. The cropped hair. Tristan!

  I shouldn’t have cared, but his presence left me twitching. No one knew I did magic, and here I was with glowing hands as if I’d been hit by lightning. But that wasn’t the problem at all. It was that I had my princes to save, not deal with an over-domineering ex.

  “Bee,” Tristan yelled. “I’ve come to save you. I’ve thought hard about us, and I will change for you. Marry me.”

  Stunned at first, I couldn’t believe he’d think that after coming to my rescue, I’d fall over myself to accept his proposal. Never happening, even if he was the last man alive.

  “Go back home,” I cried out. Idiot would get himself killed.

  The princes’ growls quaked through the air. Even in their warped half-bear forms, they shuddered. The end was near.

  The curse would kill them.

  “Beasts!” Tristan bellowed, taking a knife from his belt as she scanned the grounds with my four princes, deformed and fighting the curse. “Kill all the beasts.”

  Dread locked my gut, and my world faded in and out.

  Darkness pressed in on me, stealing my vision. I kicked and punched, needing to escape Lilita’s hold. I slid back to reality, then back into the pits of the underworld in my mind. I caught flashes of the guards attacking the bears.

  I screamed, my chest burning with anger, ready to explode. “Stop! Tristan, no!”

  Bee! Lilita sang in my ears.

  I threw myself on hands and knees, remembering that Ash had dropped the knife. I patted the snowy ground as my vision seesawed back and forth. I found the rose mixture and scooped some into my mouth. The bitter taste was slippery and gross, but for those few moments, Lilita flinched to the recesses of my mind.

  Something silver glinted up ahead, and I scrambled for the weapon. I snatched the knife and slashed the blade across my forearm. Swallowing past the sharp pain, I coated blood onto my hand still caked with the rose paste.

  “Cleanse me!” I cried out. “Eradicate Lilita. Purify the princes.”

  To my left, a guard hovered over a fallen Leven, gripping a knife. Coldness rocked me. Fire surged through me and gushed from my palm. The energy jutted outward, white and black sparks intertwined. They struck the guard in the chest, throwing him off-balance. He landed with a thud, convulsing.

  The last tendrils of power drained and fizzled. Exhaustion had me teetering on the spot. But I was running out of time.

  I staggered up, and a darkness swept through me once again like a tsunami, swallowing my thoughts, my emotions.

  Talin lunged and chomped on a guard’s arm. The man howled. But Tristan was coming up behind the prince. He leaped up and drove a punch at his back.

  Talin wailed and collapsed.

  My heart throbbed with dread, and I cried out, “Tristan, please stop!”

  The others battled with savagery, teeth, fur, and blood. Chaos.

  Fear buried me, and I pushed up. My body spiraled with overtiredness. One leg in front of the other, I approached the fight and raised my arms. “Goddess, fill me with your ability.”

  Nothing came out. No pop or flicker.

  Lilita hummed in my ears once more, unrelenting.

  A sense of hopelessness enveloped me, my muscles aching at the inability to keep Lilita back. Yet I didn’t stop trying, and I staggered toward the guards, needing to protect my princes.

  Tears drenched my cheeks as a guard drove his boot into Raze’s gut. His chest heaved with each breath. Talin wobbled on his feet, and five guards circled him.

  Overhead, the moon shone like a beacon, but it wasn’t a salvation, only death.

  Lilita crowded my mind, shrieking, deafening me. In my haste, I tripped over my own legs and fell into the snow. But I hurried back up, rushing toward the men who’d captured my heart.

  Maybe it wasn’t too late if I could get them into the water and try the reversal spell. “Goddess, please, I beg for your help.”

  Tristan slammed into Talin, and my prince grunted, folding over.

  Rage owned me, and a sudden explosion of pain seared down my arms. I unleashed it from my palms, striking all the guards. They all fell over at once.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25