A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty (Kingdom of Lies, #2)

by Stacia Stark

In my darkest moments, when I missed her the most—even as she sat right next to me—I listed what I did know. And I wondered if those small details would be enough to carry me through the rest of my life.

Nothing hardened a woman like betrayal from a man she’d trusted. And then men had the audacity to call us cold.

“But that doesn’t mean I won’t wish for you with every fucking breath for the rest of my life.”

“When it comes to your survival, you cheat,” he snarled. “You cheat and you lie. You fight dirty. And you do whatever else it takes to stay alive.”

“I’ve gone my whole life feeling like I’m holding my breath. Like my lungs are burning. Like I’m desperately fighting for each gasp of air. But when you’re around, I can…breathe. And I’m furious at you, because when that ends…when we’re forced apart, I don’t know how I’ll take a full breath without you.”