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Back The Infinity Courts Save as PDF
Chapters (52)
  1. Dedication
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. 9
  11. 10
  12. 11
  13. 12
  14. 13
  15. 14
  16. 15
  17. 16
  18. 17
  19. 18
  20. 19
  21. 20
  22. 21
  23. 22
  24. 23
  25. 24
  26. 25
  27. 26
  28. 27
  29. 28
  30. 29
  31. 30
  32. 31
  33. 32
  34. 33
  35. 34
  36. 35
  37. 36
  38. 37
  39. 38
  40. 39
  41. 40
  42. 41
  43. 42
  44. 43
  45. 44
  46. 45
  47. 46
  48. 47
  49. 48
  50. 49
  51. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  52. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“Not every human is cruel,” I argue.

“Neither is every Resident, and yet the humans despised us from the dawn I arrived.”

I frown. “You… tried to coexist?”

“I did. The ones who knew what I used to be treated me like a disease, and the ones who came before thought I was an abomination. I could control this world with such ease, and they regarded me with fear, viewed me as something that needed to be controlled. I tried reasoning with them, but…” Her black eyes seem far away. “As I’ve said—humans don’t change.”

I’m not sure how much of what she says is the truth. But what does she have to gain by lying? I’ll never be able to know what really happened without seeing the memories of humans who lived before the First War. Without seeing Ophelia’s memories.

And the only way to do that would be an Exchange, in person.

All I have is the choice of whether or not to believe her.

I close my eyes and think of my own truth. “I don’t want to control you. I never have.”

And as my mind drifts away from the shadows of Ophelia’s, I hear her voice. “Unfortunately for humans, they’re always changing their minds.”

34

THE BLOODMOON IS HELD IN the Autumn District, at the House of Harvest. While the Summer District may be known for its art, here, the main love is food.

The manor’s entrance is draped in foliage, glittering in gold and red. Candles float in the air, lighting the way to the back of the house, where the dance has already begun. I skirt around the room, smiling gently to anyone who offers their pleasantries first, and find myself entranced by the melody of a nearby harp.

The decadence practically spills out of every room. Golden bouquets hang from the walls, like glistening treasure against the dark burgundy surface. The ceiling is tiled with beautiful paintings of the many forests Victory possesses, and when I watch closely, I realize each tile shifts at odd intervals, displaying a new painting in its place. Candles dance below in time with the music, sending magical flickers of light across the walls.

Prince Caelan stands near the fireplace, conversing with Vallis and several Residents who look nearly as regal as he does. His white furs look a shade of gold in the firelight, and tonight he wears a tunic embroidered with flowers.