The Book of G

by Lily Archer

Dire Warning: If you pirate this book, the Hag of the Bloody Stump will eat you, your children, their children, and your favorite pet (but not your least favorite pet; that one will remain).

“A bargain of sorts. Your wickedness has known no bounds. You have not earned a quick death. But perhaps you can earn something more.”

“If you would recover what you’ve lost, you will travel to the Wood of Mist and find the Graven Phylactery before the end of the Fallen Moon. Fail in this task and you will live a long life, forever cursed with what you lack.”

‘If you would recover what you’ve lost, you will travel to the Wood of Mist and find the Graven Phylactery before the end of the Fallen Moon.’

“No, I was just wishing she’d made a mask to cover your entire face, including a gag for your mouth.”

My mouth falls open, my breath stilling in my chest. “Are those … Why does Charles have tits?”

“May the light of your king lead you to the safest roads and greenest vales.”

Damn, that sounds good. I can provide. She relies on me. I could beat my chest and whoop right now if it wouldn’t hurt so damn bad.

“I didn’t say that. I simply agreed that watching you flail in fresh mud would be entertaining, but watching you beneath me would be even better.”

“You know? Maybe this was a good idea. This way I can freeze to death so I don’t have to hear any more of your ridiculous arrogance.”

“You already knew I was wicked.”

With a frustrated groan, she storms past me. “Yes. We’ll leave tomorrow.” Then she slams the door to our room and says a litany of curses so vile that my lips turn up in a grin as I listen to every last one and memorize a few for later use.

“What’s it like to have the self-confidence of a man at least twice as intelligent and good looking as you? Seems like it would be jarring.”

“What about you, little one? Little pretty thing. Doesn’t your father miss you?” Charlie freezes, her hands falling to her sides.

“You killed it.” She watches the flames, the orange light dancing in her eyes as wonder tinges her voice. “You really killed the Eater.” She shakes her head, her usually scolding tone returning. “But you shouldn’t have risked it. Why would you do that? We could’ve just left.” I adjust my leg, wincing as I move. “It made you cry.” She turns her head sharply. “What?” “I wanted to kill it, so I did.”

“I was thinking ‘morally gray’ but you’re more like a midnight abyss.” She mutters something under her breath, ending with the word ‘wicked.’

“By the time we’re through with this trip, you’ll understand there’s no amount of wickedness I wouldn’t do for you.”

“Just tell me what you want, Charlie. Tell me and I’ll burn down heaven and earth to give it to you.”

love you. Don’t you know that? I don’t think I’ve ever loved anything other than myself. I don’t remember how I used to be, but somehow, I know that’s true. At least it was, until you. I feel like maybe I’d been empty, like whatever life I had before was only a buildup to this. To you and me. I can’t explain it, but I know this is real, this is where I’m meant to be, because it’s where you are. I’d follow you anywhere, Charlie. I’d do anything to keep you safe, to make you happy.”

“Have I told you all the ways I’ve imagined having you?” I ask. She smirks. “No, you’ve never graced my ears with such filth.” “Allow me to remedy that.” I take her hand and pull it to my mouth, sucking one finger after another. “Tonight, I want you on your knees, crying out like a wild animal while I rut you from behind.”

She puts a hand on my elbow and steps beside me. “Father.” She bows her head slightly. “We’ve come to—” “We?” His eyes narrow, his stately head lowering as he looks at me. “Have you forgotten, dear daughter, that you are engaged to Lord Tristan Martant?”

Charlieta? Her name is beautiful, and even in his cutting tone, the sound of it is musical, lilting.

“My father is King Finnraven of the Unseelie Court, Lord of Death and Darkness, Bringer of Oblivion and Blight, Ruler of Shadow.”

“I’m Princess Charlieta Finnraven, though I haven’t gone by that name for a long, long time.”

thought if I could fix my face, she’d be able to love me, you know? But I don’t think it’ll be enough. I’m not enough. Because I’m broken and an oaf and wicked—everything she’s ever accused me of. She was right. You should’ve seen her at the palace.” I sigh more deeply than I ever have in my life. “It’s like … it’s like we never happened. Maybe I was just a pet, like her father said. And now she’s tired of me. She’s moved on.” I swallow thickly. “Even though I never will.”

All my hurt, all my anger, it’s in this one kiss. She grips my shirt, her fingernails digging in as I crush her against me. It’s like breathing air for the first time, as if I’m surfacing from the dark, cold water and sucking in a lungful of freedom. That’s what Charlie is to me. My freedom. My future.

She fits me, not like a puzzle piece, more like a broken shard that can either cut me or make me whole.

“I know you want to come.” I nibble her bottom lip then kiss along her jaw. “But right now, Charlie?” I bite beneath her ear, feeling her shiver as I do it. “Right now, I want you in the dirt on your fucking knees for me.”

“You think you’re the villain, the most wicked of all because of the destruction you rained down on the Seelie that day, and you don’t understand why no one else sees it.”

Sharing pain doesn’t make it hurt less, but it soothes the frayed ties between two souls.

grit my teeth and urge him onward, racing after my stubborn, beautiful princess who is no doubt leading us both to ruin. Too bad I’ll follow her anywhere.

“It’s dead. You killed it.” She wraps her arms around my neck again. “You stupid, oafish, doltish, idiot!” “Charlie, now’s not the time for foreplay.” I kiss the top of her head.

“You saved my life.” I grip the nape of her neck and pull her back to me. “From the moment I met you.”

I don’t care if I’m rotten on the inside and vile on the outside. I’ll stay that way forever. I’ll accept it. I’ll accept me. I look down at Charlie and realize she already did. She loved me like this. Loved me as I am, not as I wished to be. Loved me even though I’m wicked and scarred. Loved me as I love her.

Who I was doesn’t matter. It’s who I am now that defines my life, my legacy.

thought the quest was meant to give my life back. Instead, it gave my life meaning. It gave me the one person who sees all of me and loves all of me, no matter what I lack. For that, I’ll be forever grateful to whatever circumstance put me in that river. It led me to my destiny. It led me to her.