A Promise of Fire (Kingmaker Chronicles, #1)

by Amanda Bouchet

“Good gods!” the ax-wielder booms. “She has bigger balls than I do.” Humor flashes in the warlord’s silver-hued eyes. “Balls don’t necessarily come with brains.” “Mine do.” If my smile were any more syrupy, my teeth would rot.

“Let go,” I demand. “No.” My eyebrows snap together. “Why not?” “Because your gut reaction is always to punch, and I don’t like being tickled.”

“He’s the right size and fairly placid.” “Why do I need placid?” He hits me with his hard stare. “Because then at least one of you will stay calm.” “Calm is boring,” I retort. His white teeth flash, and his gray eyes crinkle at the corners. “Absolutely,” he agrees, looking at me with undisguised heat in his eyes.

Looking at him, I feel recast, melted down and formed anew, and realize this is how lives change, how reasons for existing shift.