Igniting Cinder (The Lost Girls, #3)

by Holly Roberds

It’s time she knows the truth. As much as I want her, she shouldn’t trust me. I’ve done nothing to reward her trust. Rap is right. She needs to know I’ve held back secrets, that I’ve used her. Then she’ll give up this insane idea to go through with the marking. “No, you don’t. I didn’t ask you to be my bride because I needed help fending off the husband hunters. While it certainly hasn’t fucking hurt to be known as yours to keep them all off my backs, the true reason is I am using you. Using you to inspire the rebels to go through with a coup against my father. I want the Mice to bring down the crown.” I don’t know if I’m trying to be honest or hurt her. I only care that this rattles her enough to give up the idea I need to bite her. No matter how much the larger part of me wants that—to claim her, to devour her, to make her mine for all of time. That gives her pause. “That’s insane, Kai. You are part of the crown.” She adjusts the strap, covering up again, thank fucking witchtits. “I know,” I say through gritted teeth. “But it has to be done. And the only way is to get the Mice to trust me by using you as a symbol, as a sign that I am to be trusted.” The stunned silence reverberates around me. “Jack,” she says. “You’ve been trying to convince Jack to get the Mice on board. He’s one of them.” I nod my head, feeling defeated. “Yes. They think I’m a trap set out by the King. But you have been helping convince them I’m not like my father.” There. I've given up my dirty secret...