Book 3: Another Bad Idea

Candace

I sit at a makeshift table in the center of Kieran and Raven’s tent, surrounded by people with various claims to being my family, all talking over each other about the mess I’ve made. Even Kash, my father, is here, for reasons I might never understand.

“She didn’t do anything wrong!” Ingrid smacks the flat of her hand on the table. “You didn’t tell Father who you were really mated to, did you?”

Kieran exhales painfully slow through his nose, looking like he’s about to start pulling his hair out. “I was being blackmailed. And I had reason to believe my mate was my twin sister, not the crown prince of our strongest ally.”

“Some prince he is.” Ingrid snorts loudly.

“Shush,” Raven says automatically, bouncing a dozing Altair. “I just got him to fall asleep. Please.”

Ingrid puts her hands up defensively. “I’m just saying that, if you let Candace tell her side of the story, you’ll realize Hollis is the real problem.”

“Prin