All This Twisted Glory (This Woven Kingdom, #3)

by Tahereh Mafi

He might be driven to kill a man just to improve her view out a window.

He would always be the villain in her story.

He’d been afraid to go near her; he hadn’t been ready to hear her voice, to look into her eyes. He was terrified she’d go and do something brutal, like smile at him.

“Alizeh. Please. Lift your head. Look at me.” With great effort, she did. Her eyes were glazed, flickering silver and brown in the rising light. She studied him like he might’ve been a dream. “Why? Because you’re terribly handsome?” “Don’t be funny,” he said, breathing hard. “This isn’t funny.”

Blearily, she said, “Who are you talking to?” His heart was beating faster now. “My dragon,” he said. “Oh.” A little line formed between her brows. “You have a dragon?” “I— Yes.” “Just like you did before.” She stifled a yawn, her eyes closing. “Do I get one, too?” Cyrus frowned. “Would that . . . please you?” “Yes, I think so.” “All right.” He blinked slowly. “You can have a dragon.”

“What are friends for, if not to kill your enemies?”

“Excellent,” Cyrus said, the word charged with heat. “Are we finally done? Or are there more debates to be had? Please let me know now, so I might schedule time to lose the rest of my mind.”

There was something so gentle about her presence, something that reminded him of magic: all curves, no edges. He wanted to press his face against her neck, wanted to breathe in the fragrance of her skin, the perfume of the flowers he’d grown himself. He wanted to make her laugh. He wanted to hold her hand. He wanted to bring her tea and walk with her through the seasons. He wanted to watch her conquer the earth. He wanted to glide his hand down her naked back, wanted to taste the salt of her, wanted to bite her bottom lip and lose himself inside her.

It had finally happened. He’d finally lost his fucking mind.

“Angel,” he breathed. “My angel.”

He wondered if she had any idea what he’d do for her, the worlds he’d destroy for her.

“Sleepy boy,” she said. “This is not a dream. I’m really here. And I promise I’m not going anywhere.”

“You can’t lie to me forever, Cyrus. I’m going to find out the truth about you, and when I do, I promise you this: I’ll ruin him. I’ll make the devil regret the day he was born.”