Allegra’s shoulders trembled with sobs she didn’t try to hold back. “How is that good enough? How is that supposed to make up for everything we can no longer have?”
Matthew smiled sadly and brushed his ethereal fingers over her cheeks. She felt no pressure from his touch, but the gesture calmed her rising grief.
“It won’t. Nothing could ever make up for what we lost. But maybe we can find another way to move forward. I have no intention of going anywhere, Allegra. Not as long as you want me to be here.”
She choked down a final sob and drew in a slow breath, working to regain control over herself. Beneath her grief, the sense of despair she’d felt on losing him began to dissipate, a glimmer of hope taking its place. She would still need time to grieve, but it soothed her to know she didn’t have to do it alone.
“I do notice one thing, though,” he said, and Allegra drew her gaze up to meet his. Dark gray eyes stared back at her, tight with concern. “Whatever state I’m in now, I feel something creeping up behind me. Everything around me is sparking with anticipation, as though the whole world is standing on the edge of some big change.”
Allegra’s thoughts went to her dream, and she squared her jaw. “I know.”
Matthew’s eyes softened. “Whatever it is, we’ll see it through.”
She nodded, but couldn’t offer the same encouragement. Without knowing what was coming, she couldn’t prepare for it.
“I know you’re not about to sit back and watch it happen,” he said, “so what are you going to do next?”
She released a breath and turned toward the window, staring out over the city. She wondered how many other Garden Hotels existed in New Haven, affected by the hell taking over.
“I want to turn my back on it,” she said, “but I cannot. Not anymore. So I will watch and be ready to raise the alarm before the devils come out to play.”
Matthew’s hands slid over her shoulders down toward her waist, leaving cold trails as they went. She shivered. Her throat closed, but as his fingers traveled up and down her spine, the warmth he’d triggered before grew into a deeper longing. Through the fleece of her robe, she felt his touch as a path of icy shocks that burst beneath the surface of her skin. An entirely new experience, one that thrilled her and promised new, if different, pleasures.
His lips hovered over the angle of her neck, and she tilted her head to allow him better access, pushing the robe off her shoulders.
Never again would she feel the heat of his mouth or the fire of his touch. But she’d made up her mind to accept the changes in her life, and saw no reason why she shouldn’t accept him as well. As long as he was with her, she was certain she could face what was coming. He would remind her of everything she’d almost had and everything she had to fight for.
Matthew wrapped his arms around her, his shimmering body hovering against hers. She turned to face him and tilted her mouth to his.
She had been the cause of so many deaths and had always seen it as an ugly reality. Now death had changed into something miraculous and beautiful, and for the first time, she was ready to embrace it.
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Acknowledgments
Allegra had me worried, I’m not going to lie. She’s rude, occasionally cruel, and the epitome of selfishness. Of all the characters from the Invisible Entente Prequel, she’s the one people liked least. I didn’t blame them (although I always had a soft spot for her). Then, thanks to the amazing people I work with, she started to come to life in her own story. I discovered that, while she’s sharp and often mean, she does have emotions and sometimes feels them too intently. She can be funny, and she would fight tooth and nail to protect the people she cares about.
My editor, Sue Archer, who saw the truth better than I did and worked to bring it out.
Ravven, who took my description of Allegra and put her on the cover with such eye-catching sass and attitude that people have no choice but to look twice.
My beta readers, Tina Miles and Sarah Fox, for catching the important little things and assuring me that I’d gotten Allegra’s story figured out.
Kate Sparkes, who took the rough edges of the first draft, saw all of its potential, and encouraged me to dig as deep as I could to get the best version of the story on the page.
My family, and especially my husband, Chris Reddie, who had to put up with me exploring my character’s selfish, rude side.
My readers, thank you for taking a chance on such a difficult character. I hope that you fell in love with her as much as I did.
Other Works by Krista Walsh
The Meratis Trilogy
Evensong
Eventide
Evenlight
The Cadis Trilogy
Bloodlore
Blightlore
Bladelore
The Invisible Entente
The Invisible Entente prequel novella
Death at Peony House
Song of Wishrock Harbor
About the Author
Known for witty, vivid characters, Krista Walsh never has more fun than getting them into trouble and taking her time getting them out.
She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
You can connect via:
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At the local Second Cup coffee shop … but only if you come bearing a White Mocha
Table of Contents
Contents
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Thanks for Reading
Acknowledgements
Other Works by Krista Walsh
About the Author