Vetur: Cyan

the doors closed, I looked at Lily,

e you okay?" I

I would have lost it!" She choked out, shoulder

sic Disney song and dance. Soon we were both laughing as quietly as

ast of the tears from off her face. S

e sad and it's going to make you angry. But you can and you will get through this. Y

rs waiting while I took

ured approvingly. "No

for me to commit murder. When I was finally deemed perfect by Lily, The Queen appraised me with a critical

my clan. The certainty of my life. This year I would be 22 years old. If I didn’t find my mate soon, Vetur would destabilize and become unbearable. In the history of the Talvines, there had been two occ

with it, I’d try to run again. Unfortunately, since my last attempt I’d been more heavily guarded—for my protection, of course. The heavy wooden doors, inlaid with marble and ivory, and bearing the image of Tal

resent dropped to one knee; their heads bowed in deference. Those closest to the few women scat

is Cyan,”

ly piss her off more, but that was exactly what I wanted. I knew that I was stronger than her. Even without my mate, I was lethal, as evidenced by the litany of extra warriors strategically placed throughout the roo

me, child,” Th

ld never,” I goaded, a sacchari

Her mouth opened to lash out, but the cleari

he implored, his eyes plead

the throne room where my father waited, his First Guard hovering nearby. I kept my head and eyes straight forward, fighting the urge to lift the hem of my dress. Even after years of making this walk, I still felt as though

eautiful, intense, ruggedly handsome strangers, who didn’t seem to get the memo that this was a black-tie affair. All brawny and burly, an air of menace surrounded them, enhanced by the wide berth my clan was giving them. Their eyes remained on me, not once acknowledging The Queen. Well shit. Their eyes were on me. They weren’t kneeling or bowing. Instead they stood as though they didn’t have a care in the world. The fisted hands resting against their chests, right where their hearts would be

dare he think he could command me or challenge me in any way. Vetur stirred within me and I tore my eyes away. I couldn’

ith the help of Lily and be seated to the right of The Queen, but since this was my joining ceremony, I would remain where I stood.

maje

lared, her voice carrying th

cted, I turned

of Restari,

omehow appeared to my left, I gave him a nod indicating he should start. I tuned out his words, but kept my face interested. Appearance was everything. Besides, he would only be spewing out our history and how important it would be for me to find my mate to ensure balance. I specu

uch me and his fate would be fatally sealed. Kormen had been there since day one and though I couldn’t touch him directly, he’d layer me in blankets and hold me while I fell apart. I wiggled my fingers slightly, our code for hello and in this case, ‘I missed you.’ His fingers didn’t move and he didn’t give me the easy grin he usually wore. His lips were ticked u

orward. And another. And another. Where the heck did he think he was going? He kept moving and it took me quite a moment to realize he was coming toward me. But this

the word except by blood. My confidante. My lifelin