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

by Lisette Marshall

‘I’m sorry,’ I whispered again, throat tightening. ‘I’m so very sorry, and I love you so very much. I don’t know why it took a shattered binding to make me realise what I was doing. It should have been clear from the very first moment I realised I was hurting you.’

‘I’m just … I’m trying to understand how alves define their families, if blood doesn’t have anything to do with it.’ ‘Ah.’ He blew out his cheeks. ‘Well, that’s easier. You’ve eaten at our table, you’ve slept in our beds, you’ve risked your life for us and we’ve risked our lives for you. Which means you’re one of us now, as far as I’m concerned. We’re simple creatures, really.’

Zera help me, his laughter – it rolled over me like magic, a melodious sound so rich and full of life that I could do nothing but stand there and drown in it, soaking it in like warm sunlight on the first day of spring. He laughed like a male set free. Like all the weight in the world had been lifted from his shoulders for the first time in centuries and he could finally breathe again, the music of it resonating not just in the air between us, but in my very soul.

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

‘I’m fully fucking honest when I say no one has ever frightened me as much as you do. I’ve never had this much to lose before.’

‘Is this the moment to tell you how utterly bewitching you look in the blood of my enemies?’

‘Liria.’ Even breathed so quietly, I could make out the Faerie word. My love.

‘I’m saying I love him to pieces,’ I pleasantly corrected. ‘Gods help me,’ he muttered, burying his face in his hands. ‘Because you’ve seen what he looks like?’ I scoffed. ‘No. Because he’s the only damn person in this world who’s never tried to make me more than I can be or less than I am. Because he makes me laugh when I’m frightened. Because he knows what it’s like to be everyone’s weapon. Because he stops me from doubting myself. Do I need to continue?’

‘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.’

‘Don’t you dare call my daughter a fae whore ever again, you fucking swine.’

‘Emelin Thenessa, love of my life, you’re farther from a failure than anyone I’ve ever met in this world. Don't try to argue. It will win you nothing but more declarations of my heartfelt admiration, and they will be elaborate.’