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

by Stacia Stark

The wildcat was mine, and I would protect her until she came to that exact realization.

I knew she was cunning and clever, and that she would do anything for the people she loved. What would it be like to be counted among those people?

“I know.”

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

I’ll never be safe, Prisca. I’ll always be the monster who slaughters anyone who attempts to hurt you. I don’t know how to be anything else. My mistake was attempting to shield you from the sight of that monster.”

“I bet you were admiring his form. And his sword.”