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I was a survivor. I was strong. I was powerful. I was an insidious bloom, and he would not see my thorns until it was too late.
“Izidora, I will spend my whole life making this up to you, helping you heal these wounds you carry. I should have checked on you, rather than leaving you in the hands of others. Our fathers were the ones who arranged for your care, and they would not allow my involvement until you came of age. On your twenty-first birthday, I was on my way to surprise you and to whisk you away to the palace I built for us, where I planned to shower you with treasure and love. But when I arrived, all the guards were freshly dead, and you were nowhere to be found. I waited for that day for so long, and to find
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So, he knew she was kidnapped at birth, her mother killed, and put into prison until she was 21 years old? But, because he "didn't know about the abuse" and that they were only supposed to "make her ready" for him, that's ok!?! Based on what I've sneaked ahead about, he wins out in the end. There better be a better explanation or my overall review of this story is going to burn.
“The ones that are part of all will be born under a full moon Her white light will fill the land But her mates darkness will rise Kings will fall Rivers will run with blood There is a choice Follow the light Descend into the dark The harrowing pass decides it all”
The Goddesses' Prophecy
King Zalan had known, for the past twenty-one years, exactly where his daughter was. Of all the fucked up games he played around the court, this was by far the worst.
How can Kazimir possibly become the "bad guy"? I mean, it always struck me as odd that he wanted Isa to call him her "hero" and "savior" just to get him off but I trumped that to being done as a kink in the throws of passion. I'm SO confused!!!
But I did hear from the Angel that he was trapped in the Iron Realm, along with many others from other continents, by a powerful Mage who wanted to create a race more superior than any that walked the planet.”
How is this ok?!? How is this going to make sense as "good" in the storyline? It just sounds wrong!
“You are my mate, and you and I will love each other unconditionally because that’s what mates do. That book is nothing compared to the lengths I would go to for you, Izidora. I will burn the whole fucking world down for you to show my undying devotion.”
Who to trust!?!
“I waited for you for so long… but I will wait longer if that means you are mine willingly. All I wanted my whole life was to be loved, and real love is worth waiting for.”
“I’m coming, Izidora,” I vowed into the wind, hoping the Goddess would carry my words to her, wherever she may be.
I refuse to believe he is not a good man. Maybe that is what will allow him to let her go? He loves her enough to want her to be happy and fulfill her destiny?
There was no pretending to be the ruthless, uncaring prince, the weapon molded from birth to bring glory to the Iron Realm. There was only me, a book, and the haunting song of the wind as it caressed the mountains.
interesting....
“Izidora…” I croaked, falling to my knees as her fiery gaze speared my soul. “I’ve said it before, but I promise to spend the rest of our lives making this up to you. If I had known… I would have burned the world down to get to you. My greatest regret in life will be that I didn’t come for you sooner.”
Ah man....now I get it....
“Start by showering over there and keeping your hands to yourself,” she snapped, crossing her arms.
Good for you Isadora.
What would it take for her to fall into me, to say yes to me, to love me as mates should? She had all the power, but I could not let her know that. There was no way I could lose the upper hand, because at the moment she would leave me without a second thought. No one else was going to leave me – unless I allowed it.
What I had with Kazimir was uncomplicated, passionate, and most of all, safe. Ruslan was dangerous, possessive, and irrational, and yet our banter made me feel fucking alive.
Kazamir = feeling safe
Ruslan = feeling alive
uh oh.....
Was it the years of abuse that caused his stormy nature to call to me more than a male who made me feel safe?
My earlier plan to gain strength and skill, to allow Ruslan to forge me into a weapon and then to turn that weapon on him, felt shakier with each passing hour. But no male would control me again, and if that was Ruslan’s goal, he’d meet my wrath. So, I would gain his trust and learn more about the Félvér, all while plotting my revenge against the Iron Realm. Unfortunately, that meant showing him affection and spending time with him – both of which had led to me opening my heart as we shared story after story of those small moments that had birthed the demons that still haunted us both.
ugh!! the tug and pull is guy wrenching!
“I’ve waited so long for you, my mate, my one true love, the person who would save me and love me no matter what. I wish you wanted me as much as I want you.”
My heart.....
Love and unconditional acceptance had changed the female who’d exited the cave, and perhaps if I could provide that to Ruslan, he would change for the better,
“Love and sex are not the same thing. Love is you teaching me to read your favorite book because you want to share something that is important to you. Love is flowers just because you thought of me. Love is riding in the wagon with me because I was cold. Love is revealing the parts of yourself that you would rather not have anyone else see, like when I told you about my nightmares. Love is all around you, and I will shine a light on each part that I can, for you.”
again, my heart.....
“Yes, but I want you to wear it so it’s almost like I’m touching you,” he murmured, dropping his head to look at his bare feet.
Ok, he's adorable.
And that was yet another difference between Ruslan and Kazimir. Ruslan never made me feel like a victim or someone in need of saving. Instead, he showed me how to be my own hero.
“The only way out is through,” Zuriel replied. “You must walk the path without obstacles to truly know your heart. You may surprise yourself, cousin.”
So true
“Izidora, I love you,” I started. “You are a wildfire that has consumed my every thought since I laid eyes on you. I can’t breathe, can’t think, when I am around you. You suck all the oxygen from any room we’re in, leaving me gasping for breath, and yet I cannot get enough of that asphyxiation. You drive me as wild as you are, making me wait for you, then challenging me at every turn, and I am a better male for it. The light in your soul calls to me, guiding me through this darkness I thought I’d be trapped in forever. You are everything to me, sprite.”
Laying himself bare.....
Did I fall in love with Kazimir simply because he was the first person to show me kindness? Did I overlook everything, accept his explanations, simply because I wanted to be loved? Did he want me as much as I wanted him, or was it all an act?
“I am so sorry no one was there for you Ruslan. I am here now, and I am not going anywhere. I love you.”
“He believes that the Goddess turned her back on the Iron Fae, giving them the least power. He wants to grant wings to future generations and strengthen our magical abilities beyond elemental magic. I agree with him to an extent – but I think every race should mix as they wish instead of Rares playing God. I have spent hours pondering the Goddess’s logic on separating powers among races to create balance rather than allowing it all to unfold naturally. Perhaps that’s what we are meant to bring to this world.”
“The Fates are fickle, and the future is always uncertain, but we are at a pivotal moment in the history of our world – one you will play a major part in. Your choice in mate will determine the outcome.”
My daughter, I love you so much, even as you are just a tiny seed in my belly as I create this for you. You were born from love, no matter the circumstances. One day, you will find love too. Make sure he puts your needs above his own, protects you with the fierceness you deserve, and does not dampen your free spirit. For if you are anything like me, and I hope you are, your spirit will be as untamable as a wild stallion. Do not lose yourself along the way, as I allowed myself to be destroyed. Be free, my sweet angel.
Who is going to be it?
I’d had enough of males thinking they owned me and my body. My voice was laced with venom, and I spat rage at the arrogant king. “I will not be some pawn in whatever game it is you want to play. I am not a tool for you to use at your disposal. I am a fucking Fae and Angel, and I will be treated like one – with the appropriate dose of fear and respect.”
You go girl!
Ruslan was possessive in a way that was protective, not controlling. He defied his father’s order to break me mentally, instead empowering me with everything I needed to take care of myself. He never hurt me out of viciousness, but only when we were in bed and I wanted it.
Ruslan was darkness incarnate, and I was the fire that lit him up.
“Sprite, you are my favorite book. I can read you over and over again and continue to learn something new. As much as you try to hide your thoughts and plans, you can’t – not from me. We are too alike, you and I, and when we become mated there will be no more secrets between us.”
“Oh, my sprite, you really do not know, do you? I hate the man who sired me, who forced me to kill my siblings, who never truly loved me and only craved power. The whole time my father has been plotting to use you and I to conquer Északi, I have been plotting to kill him and take the throne with your help.”
And then there was Ruslan, my broken male, who had suffered at the hands of Rares and King Azim. He was forced to grow up alone, like me. He was forced to fight for his life to earn a place here. He was my Demon-Dragon, his wings flared protectively over me as my thoughts swirled through my mind. He may have started as a villain in my eyes, but the more time I spent around him, the more I realized there was something else behind the mask he wore – a male who craved the love and acceptance he never received as a child, just like me.
They really are the better couple. I'm glad and pushes through and continued to read on. I just feel bad for Kazimir and I hope he understands. However, I fear this will be the turning point to becoming the villain.
But Kazimir was passionate, calm, and deceptive. And Ruslan was intense, volatile, and empowering. Who was the right fucking choice?
“Your scars are a signal that you are a fucking survivor, sprite. That you remain unbroken despite them, and that you can hold your own against the most seasoned of warriors. One day, you will tell me the story of each one, and when you’re through, we will end the life of every male who inflicted them upon you. You will get the vengeance you deserve, and in the meantime, you will flaunt those scars like the badges of honor they are.”
