Flame and Sparrow (Flame and Sparrow Duology Book 1)

by S.M. Gaither

For everyone who’s ever been told they’re ‘too much’— Go ahead and burn as brightly as you want to.

sometimes what was considered monstrous changed depending on the lighting.

“Lonely and alone don’t mean the same thing,”

“Sometimes admitting we’re lost is the first step to finding the way, isn’t it?”

“I feel…” he replied, slowly, “as though someone should have taught you not to play with fire.”

“So let’s keep the danger in mind,” he murmured, “and please believe me, Little Sparrow, when I tell you that I could set fire to every inhibition you possess, and when we are finished it will only be you and I among the ashes. I will be the only thing you can think of, and it will not be disdain that you feel toward me, I can promise you that.”

“Well, I would tell you to feel free to think of this mouth while I’m gone,” I said, “but I’m sure you were already planning to think about it.” His gaze finally fixed on me, burning with possibility and promise as he said, “Among other things.”

A monster, but a monster who had gifted me the sun. Who had offered me healing in every way he could after my trials…and then let me go when he saw no other way to aid in that healing. He was still the villain. I couldn’t forget that. It was just… In my head, I’d written our story much differently.

“I gave you my word that I would return, didn’t I? Did you not trust that I would? Is that the real reason you gave the bracelet to me?” “That’s not the reason. I did trust you. Tonight I just…” “You just what?” His voice lowered. Still annoyingly calm compared to mine, but clearly frustrated. “Tonight I just needed to make sure you were okay.”

“Sometimes we hold on to painful things, I think, because letting them go feels like letting go of the person who gave them to us.”

“You’re welcome to the clothing, of course.” His gaze slowly traveled the length of my body. “Even if part of me wants to demand you strip it off.”

“Stay the night with me?” was all he asked. “Just in case we have more uninvited company.” Just in case I need to protect you.

“So perhaps I’ll just stand among the ashes with you,” he said, “and admire your work.” “I could allow that.”

“You look fucking beautiful in the firelight, if you weren’t aware.”

I was one of the weakest beings in this realm, but in that moment, I felt powerful beyond measure.

“If it’s any encouragement, I am imploring you to commit blasphemy.” His fingers tightened against me, and his tone dropped to a near-growl as he added, “Preferably on my face, while moving your hips like the proper fucking Wildfire I know you are.”

“Perhaps I could convince you?” His mouth tipped toward my ear again, giving my lobe a gentle, playful nip. “I can be very persuasive when I want to be.”

“You were the one praying at my altar last night, if I recall correctly.”

“I fell asleep with you in my arms, woke up the same way, and now everything else feels unbalanced in comparison. You’ve ruined me, I’m afraid,

“And you exist, missing that part, until they find you and breathe it back into you. Miran-achth refers to the breath—the part that is missing. You can survive without it. Plenty do. But to have the missing piece is to breathe easier, more deeply. The first time the term left my lips, I wasn’t thinking of that story, really; I was only thinking of how relieved I was to have you back with me. How you had survived the trial, so I could inhale again.”