Daniel didn’t stop fucking the woman. His hand twisted into her blonde hair, keeping her face down as if that could hide her from his fiancé. Maddie paused in the doorway, forcing herself to let the image burn into her mind. She knew he had a way with words and would try and smooth things over with her, but she wouldn’t allow it. There was no way in hell that she would let that man ever touch her again. She swallowed the lump in her throat. The lump that reminded her of how many times he had held her over the past two years, how many times he had kissed her, how many times he had told her he loved her. It had all been bullshit. How else could he be balls deep in another woman on the day of her birthday; of their engagement celebration? The woman beneath him moaned louder now that she knew she had an audience, and the sound was enough to jerk Maddie from her shock. She knew it was Stacey. That bitch’s high-pitched voice was too grating to mistake. “Am I not enough for you, Baby?” She

“That bastard.” Jess growled. Maddie cheered and downed another shot, though her numb lips didn’t quite catch all the liquid and she had to wipe a dribble of tequila from her chin. She watched the blurred shape of her friend grimace as she downed her own, and then shakily topped up both of their glasses. The bottle spluttered out the last of its contents but the night was still young. Aside from sending a curt mindlink to her father to explain the ball and her engagement had been called off, Jess’ house was her first stop. They had barely seen each other in the past three years, but their childhood friendship had never died. “I always hated him you know.” “No you didn’t.” Maddie crooked an eyebrow at her. “True.” She grumbled. “But now I do! And his mother? If I meet that bitch, I’m going to give her a piece of my mind” Her growl dissolved into a hiccup as Maddie forced another shot down her neck. Between their take-a-shot-every-time-Jess-swears game and the room full of Silver M

Her eyes were closed to the rough wind whipping around her, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Stood at the cliff’s edge, on the highest point of the island, Maddie was home. Those rocks were as familiar to her as her childhood bedroom and, if she wanted to, she could walk the edge blindfolded without a single stumble. Many times, those cliffs had wiped away her tears and that day was no different. Below her, she could hear the swells and breaks of the sea against the rocks, churning up white foam that skittered across the surface before the next wave lapped again. The sea was relatively calm, its movement a gentle shimmer in her ears. The salty air was bitter on her lips, and she inhaled it like a life force. Too long she had been away from its comfort. Too long she had been on the mainland and away from home. The sharp drop, a mere step before her, was one of the many reasons for Silver Moon’s long lasting strength. It was a thirty metre climb for whoever dared to approach from the

The weight of the finery she had been dressed in, before being thrust into a room off the grand hall, held Maddie in place. It made her shoulders ache to wear so much jewellery and she struggled to keep the distaste of it off her heavily painted face. It had taken a group of three women all morning to make sure that she looked like the perfect Luna. However, Maddie couldn’t help but wonder how any of the game entrants were supposed to know what she truly looked like beneath it all. It would be a shame for the winner to change his mind once he saw the real her. With her corset too tight, her heels too high, her hair too straight and every blemish on her face covered, she’d barely recognise herself either. It was all a part of the games though and she had been thoroughly prepared for it by her father. Maddie was to attend each event, dressed in the same finery and be on her best behaviour. Outside of each trial, she was to stay in the packhouse or with a guard. That empty room was the c

Maddie jumped. She tumbled forward to get away from the sudden voice behind her. Adrenaline spiked in her veins, but her body wasn't used to wearing heels when trying to escape a threat and she felt herself tipping. Before she could fall, a hand wrapped around her arm, keeping her steady until she found her balance again. It’s palm was warm, and she noticed its rough callouses against her skin, though his hold was gentle. “You’re jumpy.” Amusement rolled around the word, bringing Maddie back from her shock. She snatched her arm from his grip and glared, her fingers twitching to remove her blindfold. “Of course I’m jumpy, you just scared the crap out of me.” She hissed. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you answer me?” There was no reply for a few seconds and her eyes narrowed further at the presence before her. “Did you just fucking shrug? I can’t see dip shit.” “Sorry.” He rumbled, but she could hear the smile in his voice. “For which part?” She growled through gritted