| |
Six Months Later—Perrie
––––––––
Trying to get back to normal hadn’t been easy. There were moments when Perrie needed her dad, Aunt Krista, and Uncle Jaron. Other times, she was okay because she had Maisie, Vale, and Nev.
So many areas had been destroyed throughout the Americas. The first thing they’d decided to do was search for everyone who’d become immortal in the Glass Vault.
The main reason they did this was because Perrie had wanted the immortals to have the same option Maisie, Nev, and she had—whether they wanted to stay here or let their soul move on. It took a while to find them all, but they did.
Most of the immortals had wanted to stay, but if and when they changed their mind, they could search Vale out. A few of them had decided to move on, such as Josselyn. She was too haunted over the headless statues she’d created. There were times when Perrie couldn’t cope with what she’d done, but then she forced herself to remember that the Bride wasn’t her and if she’d been in her right mindset, none of this would’ve happened. Fannie, however, was a whole different story. As vicious as it may be, Perrie could honestly have stabbed her as many times as needed in order to save everyone.
Earlier, they’d found the last immortal—Ben Johnston. He’d chosen to stay immortal and was just glad he could take photographs for an eternity while not having to worry about sunscreen any longer. Then he’d ventured back out on his own.
“How do you feel now that our mission of finding lost souls, as Maisie would say, is accomplished?” Perrie asked, studying Vale as he watched Ben fade into the distance. They would have to let Maisie and Nev know they completed this final task. To search more quickly, they’d gone in one direction and Maisie and Nev in another.
“It was all for you.” Vale looped his pinky with hers.
“That’s a lie. You wanted to do this, too.”
There were still nights when he woke up trembling, and Perrie wrapped her arms around him to let him know she was there. Sometimes his nightmares were about his father and the Underworld, other times they were about the people who had normal lives before and were left with no choice but immortality after.
Some nights it was him who held onto her, when the past crept into her mind.
“I could have found better ways to occupy my mind.” Apparently, he could start joking for a bit since everyone had been found.
“Cello, right?” Perrie grinned.
“Definitely the cello.” He ran a finger across his lower lip.
Something about his expression, the way the sun hit his blond curls, the glint in his eyes... She didn’t know exactly what did it, but her heart filled with so much emotion, tears threatened to fall. Before she could talk herself out of it, she rushed to Vale, practically tackling him to the ground. Her arms wrapped around his waist, squeezing him with all she had.
“I love you,” she murmured.
Vale froze, then sighed softly above her head, like everything had been set right with him. “I should have mentioned a long time ago how much I love that cello occupies my mind, then maybe you would have said those magical words sooner.” He chuckled as he brushed a kiss right at her temple.
“That’s totally what would’ve made me say it sooner.” Perrie smiled, listening to the beautiful beat of his heart while it played its own symphony just for her.
Life wasn’t always straightforward, and immortal life was even less clear, but with Vale, Maisie, and Nev, they would continue to hold each other together and make sure the barrier remained sealed.
If it ever broke, they’d be ready.
––––––––
End of Book Two
––––––––
Turn the page for a special epilogue scene from Maisie’s POV
Maisie
––––––––
Some immortals’ hearts were like glass, easy to shatter.
But not Maisie’s.
Maisie pedaled her old bike down the dusty abandoned road. This thing had been sitting in her garage for years before it helped her to venture across the country. Two months had passed since the world almost came to a dreadful end, when a demon prince and his wicked souls had run the show. But hey, the world survived. Just as Maisie had. Although, she was immortal. Forever and ever.
“I think I see her, Mais,” Neven said as he pedaled faster, catching up beside her. The wind blew his shaggy hair back, exposing his perfect scars even more. Since they’d started dating, she couldn’t get enough of him, couldn’t believe the guy who she’d ran from after their first kiss, when she’d been fourteen, was now hers.
Vale and Perrie had separated from them for a while, so they could each track down the turned-immortals from the Glass Vault. It had been time to ask them a higher-power of a choice—live or die.
Maisie squinted her eye and found a lone woman curled up beneath the shade of a maple tree at the edge of the woods. Her gray dress was a raggedy mess and her blonde hair hung in knots down her back. Yep, there’s Josselyn.
With a smile, Maisie hit the brake at the same time Neven did. Hopping off her bike, she released the kickstand and clapped her hands with a smile. Another immortal down!
Maisie held a finger over her lips, telling Neven to stay silent as they walked to her. She didn’t want to frighten Josselyn and have to chase after her. They’d already had to do that twice now with two other immortals.
As she peered at Josselyn’s form, she wasn’t sure if she was dead. Then the immortal’s chest rose and fell. Nope, not dead. Even if Josselyn had tried to pierce her own heart or something less messy, she wouldn’t have died anyway. Vale, who was no longer Bad Vale, but Good Vale, was needed to perform that duty.
Maisie crouched down at the sleeping woman’s side and shook her arm. “Josselyn,” she whispered.
The Immortal’s lids jerked open and she screamed when her gaze met Maisie’s.
“It’s okay.” Maisie tightened her grip on Josselyn’s arm, while Neven grasped her other one. “It’s just us. We were once part of the same wicked club, remember?”
Josselyn’s body trembled, her eyes widening in fear. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought up the club just yet.
“No one’s going to hurt you anymore,” Neven said softly. Josselyn seemed to relax a fraction at his words.
“Vale is good now,” Maisie started. “Bad Vale is gone. He’s giving you a choice if you want to live or die.” And then she explained the rest to Josselyn, everything that had occurred in the Glass Vault, all that had happened between Vale and his father, how he was hurt as much as they’d been, and how he was willing to look for every last immortal, no matter how long it took. To give them this choice.
When Maisie finished, Josselyn pressed her hands to her face and sobbed.
Maisie patted Josselyn’s back. “There. There. It isn’t so bad.”
“Isn’t so bad?” Josselyn glanced up at her as though she were back to being Crazy Maisie. “Look at the world. Look at us.”
Neven shrugged. “I mean, it’s better than it was a few months ago.”
“I can’t do this,” Josselyn cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I just can’t.”
And she wouldn’t have to. Maisie understood the immortal life wasn’t meant for everyone. She pulled her backpack off her shoulder and fished out her notepad and pencil from the front pocket. Josselyn’s brow furrowed while she watched Maisie write down the address to where she could wait for Vale and Perrie.
Tearing off the note, she handed it to Josselyn. “Meet them here and your wish shall come true. No more tears.”
“I don’t know if I trust this.” Josselyn’s lip quivered while taking the note. “But it can’t be worse than what’s already happened.”
Things could always be worse, but Maisie kept her lips zipped as not to upset the immortal more.
Josselyn rose and slowly walked down the dusty road, her shoulders slumped and her head lowered.
“Wait,” Maisie called after her. She jogged to her bike and pushed it toward the immortal. You don’t have to walk there. Take this.” It was the least she could do.
“Thanks.” Josselyn smiled warmly, placing her palms on the handlebars. She pulled her dress up a bit to take a seat on the bike, then took off down the road to get her happily ever after somewhere else.
“Now”—Maisie whirled to face Neven, a huge grin on her face—“I have a surprise for you.”
He arched a brow.
“I swear it’s a good one this time.” She laughed, remembering the last time she’d taken him to a cave and they couldn’t find their way out for days. Before he could reply, Maisie yanked him by the hand into the woods. She hadn’t planned to do this here, but spontaneity was the answer.
The leaves crunched beneath their feet as she drew him a bit deeper into the trees. She whirled around and grasped both his hands in hers. “Today’s your birthday.”
“Yes?” The edges of his lips curved up as if he was still unsure about what she was planning. At nineteen, Neven should’ve started college with his basketball scholarship already, but maybe he still could once the world was healed. He would have to be hush-hush about the immortal thing, though.
Maisie released his hands and set her backpack on the ground, then drew out two cans of spray cheese and placed them next to her backpack.
“Are you sure you don’t want them both?” He grinned, watching as she pulled out a box of crackers and put it beside the spray cheese.
“Hey”—she stood and poked his chest—“I won’t deny that, but I at least share.”
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t think you’ll ever let me live that one down.”
“Before our little picnic, I have something else for you first.” She held his hands once more, his calluses beautifully rough against her skin. “We’re going to have sex.”
Neven coughed, choking. Then laughter poured out from his mouth, his body practically convulsing. He grabbed her by the hips and drew her to his chest, then pressed his head to hers. “I love how you’re so fucking forward. But are you sure you want your first time to be here?”
It didn’t matter where she took him at, and out here, in the woods, with the wind blowing and the sun shining, was the right choice. “Yes, unless you’re not ready.”
“Oh, I’ve been ready.” His fingers dug into her hips. “Are you sure?”
Maisie had been ready since their kiss in the Sleeping Beauty display, but she figured they’d needed to go slow. By that, she meant do almost everything but sex. “I want it more than the cans of cheese.” She grinned and bopped his nose before taking a step back to peel off her eye patch. “So let’s get undressed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She could tell he wanted to laugh again, but he only smiled and lifted his shirt over his head.
They removed their clothing, item by item, their eyes locked all the while, until they stood naked before each other. To the majority of the world, it may not be the most romantic concept to talk about sex before having it, then study each other’s naked forms before crashing into one another. But it was to her.
Maisie looked at Neven as she would an art sculpture, taking in each one of his pale pink scars, his tan skin, his charming face, his strong hands, and the part of him that was no longer soft.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his gaze traveling across her body like he was studying a map, wanting to take in each line, each curve.
And then, Maisie closed the distance, drawing his head to hers. She brought her mouth to his, and he lifted her so her legs wrapped around his waist. Neven carefully lowered her to the grass as though she were made of glass.
“You won’t break me, Neven,” she said as his body hovered above hers, the heat of his skin warming her perfectly.
He rolled his eyes, then kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you, Mais.”
“I love you, Neven.” Heart pounding, she trailed her fingers across a light scar on his cheek. She then cradled his face and brought his mouth to hers. “We can do foreplay later. I just want you right now. Then break for the cheese and go into round two after.”
Neven brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “You may hate round one.”
“Then that’s what round two will be for. Good or bad, I don’t care.” It wouldn’t matter—it was him, her Frankenstein’s Monster, and that was all she needed.
“Here goes round one then,” he murmured. His gaze trained on hers, his expression turning serious. “Let me know if I need to stop or slow down, all right?”
Maisie nodded, her fingers entwining with his hair as anticipation coursed through her. His lips softly pressed to hers, then he slowly pushed into her. A sharp ache filled her and she gasped. She’d been through worse, felt worse. Still, was this what everyone liked feeling? But then, the pain subsided and it was just Neven inside her, them peering at one another. Neven and Maisie.
“I’m still good,” she whispered.
In answer, he pulled back slightly and rolled his hips forward. Her heart sang at the movement and the new magical thrum pulsing within her. Neven then did it again ... and again. Maisie needed more, needed to feel him everywhere. She pulled his mouth to hers—kissing, nipping, tasting. His hand trailed to her breast and cupped it, his thumb softly circling her nipple, sending wonderful shivers through her body. She skimmed her fingers down his spine to his backside, then gripped it as he moved. Neven’s pace picked up as she held him tighter. She felt him down to her bones, in her mind, everywhere.
Her heart sang higher as a pleasureful feeling rose within her, peaking out of its hidden depths. She’d felt this before from his fingers, his tongue, but this time, it was more powerful. A roaring, an explosion, spread through her as her heart continued to sing. Maisie didn’t release a scream or moan, just as she always did when he touched her, tasted her, only heavy puffs of blissful breaths. But when Neven followed down her path, he was much, much louder, same as he always was when she touched him, tasted him. Yet this, this was different, and it was oh so heavenly.
Both their chests heaved, Neven’s gorgeous face slick with sweat. He peered down at her with a smile and ran his thumb across her bottom lip.
“That was fun.” Maisie grinned, softly nipping his thumb. “Now we can eat, then do it again.”
He wrapped his arms around her, laughing as he rolled over, tucking her into the crook of his arm. “I fucking love you.”
Did you enjoy Bride of Glass?
––––––––
Authors always appreciate reviews, whether long or short. If you enjoyed the Wicked Souls Duology, then you may want to check out Clouded By Envy, Boon One in the Cruel Curses Trilogy!
––––––––
He only ever wanted to be human. She only ever wanted to save him. Sometimes the very thing you wish for, is your undoing...
––––––––
Brenik has always been envious of his twin sister, Bray. Everything always came naturally to Bray, even after crossing through a portal from their fae world, while Brenik spent his time in her shadow. So, when Brenik discovers a way to get what he has always desired—to become human—he takes it. However, the gift turns out to be a curse that alters him in ways he never saw coming.
––––––––
Bray can’t help but be concerned for her brother, more so when he vanishes. While waiting for Brenik to return, she meets two brothers who realize she isn’t human. Her dark bat-like wings are proof of that. But somehow, an aching bond forms between Bray and the hot older brother, Wes.
––––––––
When Bray reunites with Brenik, she finds he has an overpowering need for blood stirring within him. If Bray doesn’t help Brenik put an end to his curse, it will not only damage those who get close to him, but it could also destroy the steamy romance blooming between her and Wes.
––––––––
Subscribe to Candace’s Awesome Newsletter for the latest news and giveaways!
Join Candace’s Facebook Group: Candace’s Pretty Monsters
––––––––
Check out Candace’s other books!
––––––––
Wicked Souls Duology
––––––––
Cruel Curses Trilogy
––––––––
Faeries of Oz Series
––––––––
Cursed Hearts Duology
––––––––
Letters Duology
Dearest Clementine: Dark and Romantic Monstrous Tales
Dearest Dorin: A Romantic Ghostly Tale
––––––––
Campfire Fantasy Tales Series
––––––––
Merciless Stars
––––––––
Vampires in Wonderland Series
––––––––
Demons of Frosteria Series
Frost Claim
Acknowledgements
––––––––
I really want to thank the readers first, especially since most likely you read the first book and continued to want to read the second. I knew where I wanted the story to go after book one, but I didn’t know if I could pull it together, but then all of a sudden it came. So, thanks for being part of this journey.
My big helpers! Amber Hodges for being amazing and going through this story multiple times! Elle Beaumont, Victoria Robinson, Donna Weiss, Gerardo Delgadillo, Alexa Whitewolf, Rebecca Ayala, and Amanda Wright. You guys rock!
My husband who let me write another book while he works incredibly hard, my daughter who continues to be fabulous, and my mom who is always there when I need her.
This book was about making a different sort of fairy tale, and I had a blast while working on it.
About the Author
––––––––
Candace Robinson spends her days consumed by words and hoping to one day find her own DeLorean time machine. Her life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, watching classic movies, and living with her husband and daughter in Texas—where it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next.
––––––––
Connect with Candace:
Ephesus by Christis Christie
As a soul lost before it could live, Ephesus was gifted a special role—he must collect the dead.
Ephesus has known no other existence than reaping souls, experiencing life only from the shadows. Remaining separate was easy, until the day he meets a unique little girl with an ability she should not possess.
But can friendships be nurtured when life and death aren't meant to mingle beyond the point of passing? Ephesus must navigate the world fulfilling his purpose while also balancing his newfound curiosity of the girl’s life. However, when a threat arises, will it mean their ruin?
––––––––
Available
The Prince’s Wing by Amber R. Duell
A ROYAL GUARD. A FORCED REBEL.
Lord Saer Tufaro was raised to be the prince’s Wing—the truest and most loyal personal guard a royal could ask for. He would gladly sacrifice his life to save his best friend—the future king of Eradrist—but that may be exactly what the rebels have planned.
The Red Asters were the ones to place Saer in the palace after the old king was usurped. Close to the throne and above suspicion, he was to be an invaluable tool for the cause. But a spy is only useful if his loyalties aren’t torn.
When the prince is manipulated into an arranged marriage to the former king’s bastard daughter, tension in the palace grows. The lady is as innocent as she is beautiful and would make the prince a wonderful wife. If only she didn’t make Saer’s heart race...
––––––––
Available
