Queens of Mist and Madness (Fae Isles, #4)

by Lisette Marshall

I was a godsworn mage, for hell’s sake. I was not a pawn in this game. I did not need his bloody approval to deal with this meeting exactly as I saw fit.

‘Did I ever tell you how utterly irresistible you are when you’re threatening bloody murder in my name, Em?’

‘You’ll destroy me one day, cactus,’ he whispered, and I couldn’t tell whether it was laughter or some other emotion choking his voice. ‘You’ll be the utter ruin of me, and hell take me, you’ll be worth every moment of it.’

‘You can go around expecting flawless perfection of yourself, you can beat yourself up over every little misstep if you think it’ll make you happier, but I'm drawing the line here – you're not going to hand yourself over to her like some spineless coward because you’re still trying to please some phantom voice it’s not possible to please. You're not going to turn yourself into some useless martyr for them.’ Them.

‘Sorry, Mother.’ His golden voice was low and deadly – like the sweetest, purest honey, dripping with venom. ‘I’m afraid you’ve rather … served your purpose.’