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

by Stacia Stark

“I’m sorry.” “For what?” “For all of it. For the choices you have to make. For the weight on your shoulders. If I’d found a way to kill Regner before this, you might have had that quiet life you dreamed of.”

“Lorian…” “What is it, Prisca?” His voice was gentle. As if he knew. “I never would have met you,” I got out. “If you’d killed Regner.” “Oh, wildcat. Don’t you know by now? I would have found you. No matter what happens, I will always find you.”

“When I’m with him…I’m a better person. I’m stronger. Braver. Smarter. He makes me face the demons I want to hide from. And he teaches me how to kill those demons myself.”

“Maybe that’s what love is. Finding someone who brings out the best in you.”

“Since he met me, Lorian has committed treason, defied his brother, and prioritized our hourglass over the amulet. He brings out the best in me, and I bring out the worst in him.”

“Something in me died the night I lost my parents. And then I met you. You brought me back to life, Prisca.”

“I’ll take everything from you, wildcat. You’re mine.”

“I once told you that until you faced up to the reality of your life, you would continue to be a victim to it. And my reality is this—I’m in love with you.”