Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King, #2)

by Rachel Gillig

“Don’t you dare, Hawthorn,” he said into her hair. The threat in his voice did nothing. In one smooth maneuver, Ione’s fingers were in his pocket, grasping his Card.

Its a good plan

Don’t be turned by her beauty. We’ve enough on our plate already. Elm’s smile did not touch his eyes. He rolled his shoulder, and Ravyn’s hand fell. Because you’ve never been turned by a beautiful woman, have you, Captain?

Damn

“Her hands. Erik tore them open.” Filick blinked, shook his head. “You’re mistaken.” When Elm’s mouth dropped open, the Physician gave a stiff laugh. “I assure you, her hands were perfectly intact when I saw her.”

Omg she has magic too

Elm’s eyes shot to his doublet. He half expected to see nothing. But when he looked down, they were there. Even in the black fabric, a stain remained. Two bloody handprints.

Maybe its the maiden card

“Highwayman, Destrier, and another. One of age, of birthright. Tell me, Ravyn Yew, after your long walk in my wood—do you finally know your name?”

Theyre the descendants of the first king

The knowing, mocking smile that so often snaked in the corners of the Nightmare’s mouth slipped. “Good. We’ll need at least one spare.” “What do you mean?” He didn’t answer.

Hes obviously going to die

Elspeth. Elspeth. Elspeth! I opened my eyes to darkness. Someone called to me, an oily voice. The longer he called, the more desperate his tone became. I tried to swim toward the sound of his voice, but the water—the net of memories—held me fast. I could not move, could not speak. Could not get out.

I really hope she doesnt spend the whole book like this

“Perhaps one day I’ll make a Card to read your mind, too, Brutus Rowan.”

Aww they were friends

When I passed Bennett back to Petra, I slipped my fingers into my pocket for the Providence Cards I kept there. Only then did I smile. I took Bennett to the wood. Asked the Spirit to bless him with her magic. A day later, his infant veins were dark as ink.

Thats kinda fucked

It hurt, feeling her touch. But when the pain was gone, I was left with nary a scar. But it cost her, little Tilly, to heal. Every time she did, her own body grew more frail. And so, for my next Providence Card, I asked the trees, the Spirit, for magic that healed. Magic that made its user as beautiful and unblemished as a pink rose—Tilly’s favorite flower.

I cant tell if hes trying to be a good dad or if hes getting greedy

“Nightmare,” he said through his teeth. The monster laughed as he slipped out of the fort. “She’ll live. All I did was pay her back for breaking your nose.” “I didn’t ask you to do that.” “No. But Elspeth did.”

Lmao

but they jerked wide, suddenly focused on something at his bedside. Ione. No one spoke. Then, as if it took all his strength to do so, Hauth dragged his eyes off of Ione. They rolled, disappearing under bruised eyelids. He didn’t open them again.

Did he die?

He glanced down, caging his fingers around it before the others could see. “Heads.”

He lied

She took her charm, and before Ravyn could reach out and stop her— Shoved it into the hole in the alder tree.

Oh nk

“Let’s try this once more, betrothed.” He raised his dagger. And plunged it to the hilt into Ione’s chest. Air washed out of her, a long, ragged breath. Ione’s hand went slack in Elm’s, then she was falling out of his line of sight, out of his grasp.

NO

“Let her speak,” Elm shouted—pleaded. Hauth’s laugh cut through the room. “I don’t think I will.” Ione’s gaze stayed on Elm, holding him in those hazel wells. She pulled the dagger out of her chest and dropped it on the floor. Closed her eyes. And stopped moving.

Omfg

“Elm.” His head shot up. Ione was moving. Just a finger. Then a hand, which came to rest over the wound on her chest.

Oh. Im happy but also your books feel cheap when people fake die

There was something strangely familiar about his face. But before Ravyn could put his finger on what it was—

Your his descendant

Ravyn met the Spirit of the Wood’s silver gaze. When he finally said the words, he knew, with every piece of himself, that they were true. “Taxus. My name is Taxus.”

Its not surprising

The Nightmare and I stared. We seem to have missed something rather important, I said. Small mercies.

Lmao