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Chapter 1
“Anne…” Cornelius’s voice was a whisper in her ear, as he wrapped his arms around her, their meetings carefully planned. Either early or late, when most people still slept, because all it took was one mistake, and Anne didn’t want anyone to know – especially not Titus. His lips pressed to her cheek. If everything worked out the way she planned they wouldn’t still be sneaking around so close to the ritual, literal days away from his death, but becoming pregnant simply hadn’t happened. Anne knew it could take time, but not as long as it had. Cornelius’ lips moved from her cheek to her neck. Anne’s silence wasn’t unusual,…
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Chapter 1
“Anne came by, with a warning.” “You’re surprised?” “Not surprised, Emory, because this is Titus we’re talking about, but… there has to be a way to stop him.” “He’s had lifetimes to learn, and grow his strength. We’re nothing in comparison to him. Going against him…” “I know.” “What did Anne say?” “Titus wants me to regret the choices I’ve made, by not only cursing me, but the entire Ember bloodline.” Emory studied Leonora. “It’s not only about you.” “Of course not. I’m simply another Ember going against him, and he can’t have that. “Do you think…” “Either I go to the ritual, where we both know what will happen,…
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Chapter 5
Chapter 4 Cornelius stood with his back to the door, mind on what needed to be done, but he still heard it when it opened, someone walking toward him. From the sound of their footsteps it wasn’t Natalie, which might have been a relief, had it not been for the fact they were most likely Anne’s. She wasn’t any happier with him. Anne looked down for a moment, working through how best to word things. There was nothing simple about the conversation they needed to have, and from the way Cornelius’s back tensed he was already prepared for an argument. He knew it was her, or at least suspected, which…
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Chapter 4
Chapter 3 The footsteps weren’t a surprise. Anne was predictable, she liked to spend her mornings at the Gardens, and if anyone wanted to talk to her that was where she’d be. It was rare she didn’t go, and on those mornings she knew Cornelius would be there, watering the plants, looking after things. Obviously there was a reason for that choice she hadn’t realised before. “Can we talk?” Natalie looked at Anne, who was focused on the plants in front of her. “I need your help.” Anne turned, her eyes meeting with Natalie’s. “Cornelius?” “Do you know what he’s planning?” “I think you’d be better off talking to Leonora.” “She told me there’s…
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Chapter 3
Chapter 2 “What’s Cornelius doing, Nora?” “Natalie…” “Don’t, please. For me to be able to protect the girls from whatever terrible plan it is he has I need to actually know what it is.” “It’s really not that simple.” Leonora sighed. “All of this…” “You were the one who told me about Titus, and what was going to happen to Cornelius during the ritual.” “Being prepared for the ritual was much less complicated.” “Stop avoiding the subject. I know this is about Anne. Cornelius told me he has a very different plan for our future than I do, which… I get it. He’s never loved me. What happened with Jonathan made it much worse. My…
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Chapter 2
Chapter 1 Cornelius looked down at the map he’d started to work on, the sound of footsteps a sign he was to be interrupted once more. At least it was Leonora. She’d be an easier problem to deal with, unless she was there on Anne’s behalf, and then… he sighed. Anne cared. It kept coming back to that. She wanted him to be safe. “You aren’t going to change my mind.” Leonora laughed. “I didn’t think for a moment I could, after what Anne said. You’re certain this is the only way you can help her. She thinks it’s going to lead to your death, so I’m here to try to…
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Chapter 1
“Why was Titus here?” Cornelius had his back to her, focused on whatever he was reading on the desk, and Natalie waited, even though there was a chance he might not answer. With how things were it was more likely than him answering. “For the ritual.” Cornelius sighed, turning. “It’s all he cares about.” Of course Natalie was there, asking questions about Titus, because she ‘needed’ to know. Cornelius crossed his arms, eyes on his wife. How different would their lives have been if Jonathan was born with magic? There was no way of knowing. “Nothing else?” “You’re worried.” “It’s not as though you haven’t made it obvious who you…