A Touch of Poison (Shadows of the Tenebris Court, #2)

by Clare Sager

“I can’t accept this. It’s too expensive. They’re diamonds, Bastian.” “Are they?” He gave the ring a wide-eyed look. “Thank the Stars for that, otherwise I’d have to pay the jeweller an unpleasant visit to ask why he didn’t make what I asked for.

“I was terrified the whole time.” “We only get to be brave when we’re afraid.”

“Katherine.” My heart was in my throat, finally able to spill what it needed me to say. “I kneel for no one, but here I am on my knees for you. I am sorry.”

If I was doing it for her, to make up for all her husband and her country had taken from her, to make up for my own failings, and if I didn’t come, it didn’t count. I told myself all that. But it was a lie. Fae couldn’t speak them out loud, but Stars above, could we lie to ourselves. It counted.

You didn’t enter that contract willingly, so why the hells should I give a shit about it? If it means nothing to you, it means nothing to me. Even if that makes me a villain, an oathbreaker, all the very worst things people say.” He shrugged, bringing me closer with the arm around my waist. “It doesn’t matter. You matter. You matter more to me than I do. And I surrender this last thing to you.”

“I want you, body, heart, and soul. I want to worship you as you deserve to be worshipped. Adore you as you deserve to be adored. Love you as you deserve to be loved.”

“At your feet, all rules kneel. I’m no hero, Katherine, but, please, let me be your villain.”

“Don’t close your eyes, Katherine,” he murmured. “Keep them on me. This is real. We are real. I swear it on all that I am.”

“Katherine,” he murmured against my skin, “I love you. Beyond all reason. Beyond all control. Beyond everything. I love you.”