The Darkness Within Us (The Shadows Between Us, #2)

by Tricia Levenseller

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A BAD IDEA, JUST POORLY EXECUTED AWESOME ONES. —Damon Salvatore, The Vampire Diaries, Season 2, Episode 15

“He looks nothing like you. He’s not a very good impostor. Shall I be a lion today and gobble him up?”

Fair? Fair! Men do not get to utter that word in a world that favors them in every single space of life.

“If I wished to be prodded at, I would get myself a husband.”

“No, but I’m the center of my world, which is why I have to look after myself. No one else will.”

You are a man, and you will never know what it is to suffer as only a woman can!”

“Your Grace, surely you know the correct steps to the dance,” he says. “Surely you know when a lady is trying to tell you no.”

OH SHITTTT

“That’s why I intend to handle him. Men like that don’t deserve to live.” I falter a step. “Are you saying that you would kill that man for me?”

“No one,” he says, “no one is going to touch you like that again. I will make sure of it.”

*swoon*

“You’ve never been afraid of what I am. I like that. The beast thrills at that. I see you as something more than an equal, Chrysantha. You’re so much better than me.” “I already knew that.”

“Tell me where you like to be kissed.”

You make me forget all my rules and reasons for everything. You make me want to believe it’s possible not to be alone forever. You make me want to claim the whole world and gift it to you on a silver platter. You are unlike anyone I’ve ever known.

Just looking at your lips makes my mouth water.

“I think we are a good match.” “If you think fire and oil are a good match.” “Exactly. Together, we could burn the world down if we wanted to.”

“What if I don’t want to burn down the world? What if all I want is my quiet country life?” “Then I’ll burn anyone who tries to take it away from you.”

I bring out the demon in him. Oh, and he undoubtedly brings out the demon in me.

“You didn’t leave the king to kill me. You came back.” “Of course I came back, you stupid boy. I love you.”

“Always with the age difference.” He rolls himself on top of me as his eyes turn amber again. “We’ll see how much it matters to you once I’m inside you again.”

“I love you. I fought loving you, but it was as inevitable as the sun rising every day. For you are my equal in nearly every way and my superior in all the rest.”

“Just be mine,” I say. “That’s all I need from you.” He wraps a finger around one of my curls. “I’m already yours.”