Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2)

by Rachel Gillig

You’re found and you’re lost. Magic is love, but also— “For mercy’s sake.” The Nightmare spat phlegm onto roots. “Shut the fuck up.”

Ravyn tripped, panting. “Need—to stop.” The Nightmare kept going, pulling in rasping breaths. “Elspeth says if you do not get up, she’ll never kiss you again.” “That’s—not—what she—said.”

Oh, give her a hug. Don’t be grotesque.

Catching Ione’s face between his palms, Elm leaned over, crashed his mouth against hers, kissed her feverishly. “I’m sorry. I should have gone with you. I’m not clever at all. I’m sorry—I’m sorry.” The Nightmare and I stared. We seem to have missed something rather important, I said. Small mercies.