Book 3: Strong

Candace

I tug Hollis away by the wrist—the least romantic place I could grab him, because even though I assigned all my favorite guards to Mother, I don’t trust anyone enough to actually admit who my mate is—and pray under my breath that he actually was just walking by. If he overheard a single word of that, he’ll never look at me again.

After the past few days of stealing moments with him, a pattern is becoming obvious. The times he stays with me come after I’ve been strong. During the Haze, I was too out of my mind to worry. Since then, he likes me when I walk away rather than take his teasing, when I admit a dream that makes me sound insane to believe, when I sneak away with him rather than attending to my responsibilities.

And if those are the times I feel most like Eva, that’s just not something I’m going to think about.

But if he heard me with Mother… I’m never weaker or smaller than I am when I’m with her. Going to her at all is a wea