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He examined the bottom edge of the parchment. It was uneven, as if someone had torn a strip away. It wasn’t unusual for the scribes of the Towers of the Mir to conserve and reuse parchment, but he was surprised they sent an imperfect scroll to his father. Most people took more care when presenting gifts to the king.
Chekov
Laurent is the only one who can pull back the gloom. This is his price.” “One you’re happy to let me pay. How convenient for you, Brother, that this debt doesn’t come from your own pocket.”
Oof, burn.
“I told you to remove the gloves,” I said. She caught her breath, and I could almost hear her thinking over her response. At last, she settled with, “I assumed I would take orders from your king.”
Lol sasspot.
“You want to fuck Given of Sithistra, and it makes you furious. I won’t bite her or fuck her without you. I vow it. So I guess we’ll see how long my bed stays cold.”
What a dick. I like him.
“I thought the orgy thing was a myth,” Jordan muttered. I turned my head and found him staring at the couple by the wall. “Hopefully it doesn’t get to that point,” I said, meaning it. He startled. “You heard that?” “I heard you just now.” My skin prickled. “You spoke about…myths.” For a split second, he looked confused. Almost fearful. “I could have sworn I—” He shook his head. “Must be the wine.”
Telepathy?
Just one other vampire estate sat that close to the border. It was insignificant. Half ruined. Unremarkable except for one thing… It was Lar Satha. The ancestral home of Given of Sithistra.
👀
“Well we can’t have that,” he murmured,
Missed opportunity to say "Long live the king." lol
It was a brave stance to take. On the other hand, “brave” and “stupid” weren’t mutually exclusive traits.
Varick, you asshole, lmfaooo.
That was my favorite. It almost made up for the words he never said but that I wanted to hear more than anything. But they were words I couldn’t tell him to say. They had to come from him.
My sweet lovey. Baby. Darling. Poor Varick.
I sucked in the chilly air, letting it burn my lungs as fat snowflakes drifted around me. They fell on my gown and disappeared, melting into the cloth.
You know. Like flowers. Or ash.
I wrapped up the dagger with shaking hands. Without really knowing what I was doing, I stood and looked around for a place to hide it—at least until I could get rid of it for good.
And this is where she fucked up. I bet fully half the remainder of this book could have been avoided if she'd just told one of the boys about it. Hate this kind of plot device.
“I can leave,” he said quietly, his deep voice rumbling the table and the floor under my chair. He pulled his sleeve to his elbow and exposed his forearm. “You can hold the living, Laurent, but you can’t hold the dead.”
Drama llama
and he thrust to the hilt inside me.
Can we not say it like this when the guy is literally HOLDING A DAGGER? I almost had a heart attack. 😭
I sighed. “I’ve trained hundreds of squires, Brother Jordan. I know when a lad has something to say.” A frown flitted through his eyes. “I’m hardly a lad. I’m twenty-seven.” “Good for you. Now spit it out.”
Lmao jerk
A smile touched his mouth. “Something like that.”
Sus
Solstone.
I was wondering when that gun would fire.
Nothing he had to say could change how I felt.
Famous last words.
“Keep your enemies guessing, and they’ll never see you coming.”
I can't decide if this is comforting or ominous...
Abruptly, bells tinkled. I turned my head toward the sound, but it cut off so suddenly I wondered if I’d heard it at all.
Is this dude really doing the mgical equivalent of jingling keys to get her attention??
But it didn’t matter. Midian was a prisoner here, the same as I had been in Nor Doru. It was a grave injustice.
Babe. Honey. Sweety. Bless your heart.
No one blinked. Their chests didn’t rise and fall. On impulse, I listened for their heartbeats. Nothing. The Hall was deadly quiet, the only sounds Varick’s heartbeat and mine.
That moment you realize the creatures around you really are just living dead things.
He looked away. “I swore to serve him, and I meant it.”
We all know how you’d like to serve him, honey.
Midian stood several paces away, a triumphant look on his face as Given fed from his neck.
And now they’re…bound by blood? Omg she’s gonna throw herself into the rift to kill him.
Slowly, strong arms came around me. He hesitated, and then he squeezed me against him. He buried his face in my neck and wept.
Sweet baby
Varick made a disgusted sound. “Now there’s a curse?”
When Varick is the only normal one.
“Reading thoughts isn’t an elven gift,” Jordan said, “it’s a demonic one.”
How did I not realize this?
You are exactly who you’re supposed to be. Human and vampire. Elven and demon. You are all of Ter Isir. Who better to save the realm than someone who embodies every corner of it?”
Oof.
A king is supposed to put the good of the realm before his own desires. But I can’t. I love you too much.”
Fucking FINALLY
If I wasn’t mistaken, the “archmage” title was news to Laurent, but he’d decided to find it clever instead of threatening.
Idky I love this wording so much. "He *decided*" Perfect
“I love her,” I said finally. Then I frowned. “No, it’s more than that. I am…devoted to her.
My heart...
“I love her, Laurent, and I will protect her with my life. Even from you.”
This man.
I frowned. “Some people say too much power is dangerous.” “Those people are stupid.”
*snort*
“As I said, I’m not afraid to correct my mistakes. I like to think it’s one of my very best traits.” Against my will, a smile pulled at my lips. “So modest.” “That’s not one of them.”
*snort*
Thwack. Nearby, the castle blacksmith labored in the open doorway of his workshop, the rhythmic, jarring clank of his hammer spilling into the yard. The sound was tedious. Thwack.
Chekov
Someone coughed. I moved on instinct, landing in front of Laurent with my dagger drawn and my fangs bared. Artur of Lar Guna stood steps away, a mix of shock and poorly concealed disgust on his face.
Shit.
“Ah, yes, of course!” Laurent gestured to Rellan’s breastplate. “The fruit farmers. Tell me, my lord, how is the harvest looking this year?”
This asshole lmfaooo
Across the table, one of the iron rose markers in front of Jordan shivered and tipped over. It rolled to the edge of the table. Jordan caught it before it fell.
Chekov
“Perhaps you should give it some thought, Your Grace.”
I mean. Varick *does* have a beard now. Js.
Jordan looked at Given. “Perhaps there’s a reason you’re the wife of the High Priest.” “I’m not the High Priest,” Laurent snapped. Jordan’s gaze was mild. “Of course, Your Grace. My mistake.”
Chekov
“When magic gives great power, it always demands an equal measure of sacrifice. So often, the things we want most are the things we can’t have.”
Poor puppy.
“Politics is a messy business, princess.” Varick grunted. “I prefer the battlefield. Much simpler.” I nodded. “And less bloody.”
*snort*
I sank to my knees and bowed my head too as I acknowledged the new High Priest of the Sanctum.
Called it.
I had no time for fickle mages.
I don't understnd why nobody seems to be as in love with the sweet danger baby as I am.
Lar Bassa watched us with an odd expression. Not judgment. I knew what that looked like.
Gay vampire?
At last, he lifted his head and looked directly at Laurent. “I don’t want a wife, Your Grace. I will never want a wife.”
Called it.
“Die,” Laurent told him. “And when you meet your god, beg for his forgiveness.” Laurent bared his fangs. “I hope he’s more merciful than you were.”
Daaaaaamn
“It was careless,” Varick growled. “It probably cost Rhys his life.”
Jesus, Varick. Tell us how you really feel.
Given stood at the top of the stairs, her blue eyes lit with desire as she watched us. “Are you starting without me?” she asked lightly.
She's farseeing. Bet.
“I love you both,” she said, backing up swiftly. “Don’t come after me. Please. I’m already gone.” Laurent reached for her. She disappeared.
Called it.
“Is that why you’re here? To make sure I finish the journey?” “No.” He squeezed my hand. “I’m here to thank you. All of Ter Isir is in your debt, Given of Eldenvalla. You will not be forgotten.” My throat burned. “Will you walk the rest of the way with me?” “To the very end.”
My heartttttt
