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

by Stacia Stark

Men. So utterly predictable with their insistence on diminishing women to girls in an attempt to belittle us.

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.

Just as long as she was dead soon after. So my son could take his crown.

“Hate me, rage against me, refuse to admit what you feel. But don’t you dare treat me like a stranger.”

I swallowed around the lump currently burning a hole through my throat. “This is never going to work. You and I. We’re doomed. You know that.” He sighed, and I closed my eyes, basking in the feel of his breath against my neck. “I know.” He slowly drew back. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t wish for you with every fucking breath for the rest of my life.”

“Good girl,” he muttered.

Yes, you slipped right onto his cock.

I was desperate for a hot meal, a warm bath, and my woman.

It was time to make sure my wildcat knew I’d wanted her from the start. And I would want her until the end.

“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.”