Peaches and Honey: These Immortal Truths (The Peaches and Honey Duology Book 1)

by R. Raeta

Anna learned early that lies can be kinder than truths, and that some fates are crueler than death.

“I do not keep you because you’re not mine. You belong only to yourself.”

“Time can heal, and it can break. Learning to recognize both will serve you well.”

Eira nods. “He was right to bring you. If you don’t know how to live, his gift will become a curse.” Frowning, Anna looks up. “I’ve lived on my own for years.” “No, Child. You survived.” Her expression softens, mercy in her smile. “I will make sure you learn the difference.”

“But I’m happy—” “No,” she interrupts, “You’re not unhappy. It’s not the same.”

“What is it?” “Food.” She takes a tentative bite before shuddering. There’s an ungodly amount of garlic; she has to physically force herself to swallow it down. “Are you sure?” Khiran scowls, taking the bowl back and trying a spoonful himself. He blanches. “I… am not practiced in this particular skill. I am now remembering why I gave up on it.” He says it as if it means nothing, but Anna feels her chest tighten. “You cooked this… for me?” Scoffing, he sets the bowl aside with a dark scowl in its direction. “I certainly didn’t do it for myself.” Anna shakes her head, fidgeting. “But why? You didn’t have to.”

Strange that the god that saved her from the fire would be the same one to keep her from drowning.

There are so many words for her and yet they’re never enough. He could list her virtues, point out every gleaming triumph, and she still wouldn’t understand. So when she asks, he doesn’t tell her the answer. He shows her.

Funny how a new idea from the mind of man is innovation, but the observations of a woman are written off as fanciful wonderings of a girl made too idle.

“This wasn’t meant to happen.” His fingertips thread into her hair, her jaw cradled in his palms and his eyes burning with such an intensity that she’s drowning in it. “You weren’t meant to possess me so completely. You haunt me, Anna.”

“I’m well aware of what I am.” He grins against the line of her jaw, his breath a hot whisper in her ear. “I doubt that, but you’ll learn. If it takes me centuries, I’ll spend each and every one showing you how devastatingly beautiful you are.”

Trust takes time to earn, but can be broken irreparably in the span of a single moment.”

His thumb brushes over her ring, turning the band over her finger. “You are everything I never knew to hope for.”

“Do you love me?” “Immeasurably.”