A Queen This Fierce and Deadly (Kingdom of Lies, #4)

by Stacia Stark

My mother reached out her hand, as if to stroke my cheek. But no warmth radiated from her skin. I would never know her touch.

oof

“Wildcat. Please.”

WHAT TEAM

We had no choice. We needed Rekja, and it wasn’t as if he was going to meet us anywhere else. “Then that’s where we need to go.” Madinia

Listen, i know we are moving plot along...BUT WHERE ARE ASINIA AND DEMOS AND WHEN WILL THEY SMOOCH???

Asinia I’d known the moment the barrier went down.

THANK GOD

He gave me a faint smile, taking my hand once more. We walked in silence for a while, until we’d looped back around toward the camp. “I know you think I’m overprotective and domineering,” he said, making it clear he’d noticed my reaction to his declaration I would be leaving with him. “I’m…I’m going to do better, Sin. I promise.” I didn’t know what to say to that, so I lifted his hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it. His eyes darkened.

“Like this?” I bit my lip as I looked down at him. I wasn’t ashamed of my body. If anything, I was feeling particularly proud of it recently after all the training I’d been doing. But…no one looked good at this angle. Lorian lifted his head and nipped my thigh. “Be filthy with me.” “I just—” He sighed. “Perhaps I’m not being clear. I want you to sit on my face until all I can taste, all I can smell, all I can feel is you. Now.”

Bare minimum btw

I’d once thought the worst feeling was terror. I was wrong. The worst feeling was helplessness. Nothing could be worse than wanting to help someone—to save a life—while knowing it was entirely out of your control.

Did you even think of him?” “Asinia.” Demos’s voice was as unyielding as iron. “No. If he’s going to blame you, then he can look at his own actions.” I turned my attention back to Tor. “Or lack of them. Even Vicer never forgot about Demos. He made sure Prisca knew to get him out. Meanwhile, you moved on.” I curled my lip at him. “Demos said you were once like brothers. If that’s the case, I’m glad I’m an only child.”

Tea

Demos reached for my hand and rubbed his thumb over my wrist. His hand was so warm, his touch soothing.

Need them together BAD

Tor watched me. And the barest hint of a smile flickered around his mouth. His eyes met Demos’s. “Always knew you’d find a woman just like this.” I squinted at him. “Like. What?” “Fierce.” I opened my mouth. Truthfully, I’d expected him to call me something much worse. And the way Demos had snarled told me he’d expected the same.

“Madinia,” he crooned. “Look at me.” I took a long breath and turned, attempting to ignore the way his low voice had made my lungs squeeze. This man was a predator through and through. He stared at me as if I were a pawn he was considering putting into play—his dark eyes filled with ruthless calculation. “The fates have seen fit to push us together more than once. One day, when I need you, you will help me with my own goals.” It would be difficult for him to find me on another continent. But still, the entitlement in his voice infuriated me.

Im so excited for their books

“I must leave now.” I wasn’t surprised. In truth, I was only surprised he’d stayed this long. His dark gaze speared into me. “Remember what I said.” I showed him my teeth. “If you attempt to force me into submission, you will regret it.” The group around us ceased speaking, and I could feel their attention on us. Calysian smiled. “If anyone could achieve such a feat as to make me regret my actions, it would likely be you.” Without another word, he turned and walked away, melting into the forest.

Galon had agreed to marry us. And it felt right that the man who’d been Lorian’s father in every way except blood—and the man who’d saved my life that day by the river—would be the one to make us husband and wife.

:,)

He stared intently into my eyes. “I vow to be the roots that ground you, the branches that help you reach for your dreams, and the shelter that forever keeps you safe. I will love you in every life.” My lips trembled, but I managed to swallow past the lump in my throat, repeating his words. My voice cracked on the last sentence, and Lorian pulled me close. “Not yet,” Galon said. As usual, Lorian ignored him, gently pushing the bracelet over my hand until it encircled my wrist. The magic woven into the metal instantly shrank the bracelet until there was just enough room for my wrist to be comfortable, but it could only be removed with tools. “Fine,” Galon said with a wave of his hand that made everyone laugh. “Just as you are mated, so shall you be wed. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may…” More laughter. I barely heard it, because my head was whirling as Lorian’s mouth met mine. I soaked in the feel of him. The taste of him. The scent of him. He let out an exultant laugh, pulling me to him and spinning me around until all I could do was hold on, my chest lighter than air.

This is nice :)

“Why did you allow me to come with you?” His lips tightened. “Because I want you where I can see you. Alive.” “I want everyone in this ballroom to stay alive, Demos. If that’s truly the depth of your feelings for me, then that’s all I need to know.” I attempted to shove my way out of his arms. His grip on me tightened. But then he let me go. I turned and walked away.

UGH

“Is it any wonder I’m convinced the gods created you just for me?” he breathed, his tone full of wonder. I frowned at him. “Perhaps the gods created you just for me.” “They created us for each other.”

I’d almost drifted off when he kissed my head. “I heard Cavis today. I saw him too.” Lifting my head, I stared down at him. Lorian smiled at me. It was a devastating, heartbreaking smile. And yet there was a touch of joy in it. “If I am to be haunted by the people I have killed, so be it. But I didn’t kill Cavis. And seeing him on my wedding day…hearing him…it was a gift, Prisca.” My throat swelled. “What did he say?” I whispered. “He said you looked beautiful. And that I had better treat you well.” My eyes filled, and he kissed the tear that rolled down my cheek.

Oh :') Now i hve tears

But eventually, we had to stop. The chances of hitting one of our own were too high. All we could do was watch, guts twisting, hearts pounding triple time. It was time for me to get into the water. I pulled my dagger from its sheath. “Don’t even think about it!” Demos roared. To everyone else, it likely seemed as if he was screaming at the scaled monster attempting to get past him to Brinlor. But I’d caught the furious glare he’d aimed my way.

By the time we hauled ourselves out and lay gasping for air, I could have kissed the hard rock beneath us. But Demos was already pulling me to my feet and backing me away from the others, behind one of the rocky crevices. I waited for him to snarl at me. Instead, his mouth slammed down on mine. Demos’s kiss was a punishment. He bit my lip, soothed it with his tongue, and then swept that tongue deeper, demanding entrance to my mouth. He slid his large hand into the wet tangle of my hair and held me in place as his lips ravished mine. My entire body heated, turning relaxed, languid, until all I could do was open for him and follow where he led.

and applause rained

And then his mouth gentled, his tongue stroking mine teasingly. His other hand came up to cup my cheek, before sliding down to encircle my throat. He didn’t tighten his hand, but the threat was there. He leaned back, and I swayed into him, wanting more. When I opened my eyes, he was glowering down at me, his eyes still holding a feral gleam. I shivered, and his frown softened. “You need to change out of those wet clothes.” His voice felt as intimate as a warm hand sweeping across my bare skin. I placed one hand against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. “You’re angry with me.” I told myself I didn’t care. At least he was alive. “I am. When I saw you get in that water, I wanted to strangle you myself.” He tightened his hand a little, then released me. And just like that, all relaxation disappeared. “You’re welcome,” I snapped. “Thank you,” Demos said gravely. “Please don’t ever do that again.”

GOD i love them together

“I know of only one person with the ability to replicate something this well,” he said. “And he is a hybrid who has helped us many times before. If Regner has gotten to him, anyone around him is in deadly peril.” My gaze met his. He was thinking about Finley. I didn’t want to believe it. And I knew it would break Prisca’s heart. “We need to get out of here,” Brinlor said.

No way

The tents were close to Vicer’s own, and I wasn’t entirely surprised when Demos took my hand and led me inside the tent he’d been designated. He sat on the small stool, and his head fell forward, until it was resting against my stomach. I ran my fingers through his hair. “I should have seen this coming,” he said. “I hadn’t realized you were a seer,” I said mildly. He snorted, but he didn’t lift his head.

Failing the “try not to highlight every Asinia & Demos segments” challenge

Despair gnawed at me. If Demos felt any hint of that emotion, it wasn’t evident. His eyes were steady, focused. “I won’t let you die. You know that, don’t you?” I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it once more. “Demos…” “I saw your face in that tent. When Stillcrest said we would die. And I want you to know, I will do whatever it takes to keep you alive, Asinia. You’re going to live through this. I promise.”

He just gave me a sad smile. “This isn’t how I wanted us to do this,” he murmured, pushing back a strand of hair that had broken free of my braid. “And I have only myself to blame for wasting so much time. I kept telling myself there would be more time later for me to become the man you deserved. I was sure that once we won this war, I could do this properly. I could court you.” He leaned even closer, until we were inches apart. His fingers gently traced my face, his gaze following each stroke, as if he was memorizing it. Green-gold eyes met mine, and my breath caught. “I wasn’t being completely honest when I told you I didn’t know what I wanted. That I hadn’t let myself think about what comes after this war. The truth is, I want to know you’re safe. That you’re happy and fulfilled. That you’re creating beautiful clothes and living the life you always dreamed of in that village. And if I’m still breathing, I want to be part of that life.” My heart was pounding so hard, I could hear it in my ears. My vision swam. “You will be breathing. Promise me.” He grinned, looking suddenly younger. And I could see a hint of the man he might be one day when he didn’t spend those days consumed by war and death. A man who smiled often, who used his strategic mind in ways that improved people’s lives, instead of those that caused death. A man who came home each night and kissed me lavishly before dropping to the floor to play with our children. I could see that life. It was so close, I cou...

I could literly just highlight the entirety of tbeir love story idc

“I promise,” he said. “I’ll be there. If you’ll have me.” He cupped my cheek, his thumb gently brushing away a tear that had slipped free. “Now, promise me.” “I promise.” He moved his hand to the back of my head, and I sank into his kiss, breathing in the scent of him. Never could I have imagined that it would be Demos who would be the one person I needed. But looking back now… From the moment we’d met, and he’d bullied and cajoled me into eating, forcing me to survive each night in that cell, this had always been inevitable.

Like...its serious

I wanted to hold him to me, to demand that whoever was waiting leave us in peace. But we were at war. Demos pulled away with a long sigh. “Get some rest.” He glanced around. “Stay here.” In my tent, his eyes said when they met mine. Where you belong. “I’ll see you soon.”

Zathrian was right. No one had done this to me. The gods hadn’t taken my power. I hadn’t burned it out. No, I’d crippled myself. Which was much, much worse. I’d made myself helpless. I’d made myself a victim. And if I wasn’t careful, I’d build that wall higher around my power, using my own self-loathing. I could feel it now—like a thick, angry black cloud, settling over the stone and fae iron in front of me. No matter how much I crumbled that wall, it rebuilt. Again and again and again. My chest ached, and I took a deep, shaky breath, searching for a new approach. Leaning against the tree, I let the horrible, poisonous feelings flood through my body. My stomach turned, my limbs tingled, and my throat clogged. For once, I didn’t push those feelings away. I didn’t pretend the voice in my head didn’t exist. I felt all of the shame and disgust and fury and helplessness. The world didn’t end. The feelings didn’t kill me. They came in waves, receding further each time. And then…for a few seconds…I was at peace. The feelings were still there, but muted somehow. I could think around them.

“Sin.” He took my arm. “I wanted you to rest. Today will be a long day, and you looked so exhausted. Besides, I liked seeing you sleeping in my bed.” My cheeks heated, and he gave me a slow grin. “The next time I get you in my bed, you won’t be sleeping for hours,” he murmured, and my thighs tensed.

Teehee

“You’re the prince,” a little girl said, no more than seven winters. Her mop of curly hair framed her face like a lion’s mane, her stance bold, chin lifted. Behind her, a slightly older boy fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, his gaze darting between Demos and the ground. Demos glanced over his shoulder, as if looking for someone else. Then he pointed at his chest. “Who, me?” “Yes, you!” This girl was younger than the first, and she clutched a threadbare doll as she peered out from behind the bold girl’s shoulder. Beside her, twin boys gripped each other’s hands tightly, their excitement palpable as they watched wide-eyed. “Are you sure?” Demos asked. “Yes! My mama said.” “Well, in that case, I suppose I must be.” A feminine voice began calling out, and the children scampered away. Demos glanced at me. “Will you still want me when I’m a prince, Sin?” He asked it casually, but I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. Amusement warred with a strange kind of tenderness inside me. It was a feeling I’d never felt before. “You’ve always been a prince. Besides, my best friend became a queen and mated the Bloodthirsty Prince. That’s far more impressive.” He laughed. “You better not let Prisca hear you call him that.” I knew what he was doing. Focusing on a future we might get to have. It helped.

One day, I wanted to wear a pretty dress and lace for this man. “What are you thinking?” I told him, and his eyes heated. “Just the sight of you like this is almost bringing me to my knees. Have mercy before you make promises like that.”

“You belong here,” he said. “I hope you know what you’re signing up for, Sin, because I’m feeling possessive.”

YES. FINALLY.

“Make that sound again.” My cheeks blazed, and I clamped my mouth shut. Demos gave me a slow, wicked grin. “I guess I’ll just have to make you.”

Biting my finger and giggling btw

“I want centuries with you.” He pressed a kiss to my mouth, his thrusts increasing in speed. “Just like this.” He slid his hand to the back of my head, cradling it as his lips caressed mine. “I love you.” The words were stark. Almost solemn.

Naur like they are so hot and so good together

He was standing a moment later, my hand in his. “Sin.” “I want you to focus on staying alive,” I said. He pressed his lips to my cheek, my jaw, my neck. “Of course I will.” His tone was slightly affronted. Teasing. “I’m looking forward to having you all to myself.”

This had better not be foreshadowing

I laughed to myself as I reached back into the quiver slung over my shoulder for my next arrow. I was completely, entirely swept up in the thought of spending the rest of my life with the autocratic, overprotective hybrid prince. My best friend’s brother. At least I knew Prisca would be delighted.

Dont let this be foreshadow. I STILL cannot believe Cavis died

My head whirled, and I was suddenly in Demos’s arms. His mouth crashed down on mine, and I let out a choked sob, my hands clutching his shirt, pulling him close. Someone called to him, and he pulled away, his gaze still on my face. My body ached at the loss of his warmth. “No stupid risks.” “From you either.” He nodded. His gaze swept over my face. And he tucked a strand of my hair behind one ear. “Into position, Sin.” Demos turned, striding toward our meager front lines. Screams sounded. One of Regner’s soldiers had encountered one of Herne’s traps. Terror punched into me.

This is so tense

delineated

Someone was suddenly hauling me to my feet. My shot went wide, and I cursed. Demos’s face appeared in front of mine. “It’s time,” he said. “We have to fall back. Most of the hybrids should be through the pass now. Herne made sure Tibris left earlier. When you get to the end, ensure any who haven’t made it to the tunnel are well hidden in the caves.” I nodded. Then I froze. “When I get to the end?” “In this light, with the higher ground, a few good soldiers can hold that entrance for hours.” Terror engulfed me, almost taking me to my knees. Clearly, Demos had designated himself as one of those good soldiers. “I’m a good soldier,” I croaked out. Demos’s smile was slow, wicked, and entirely inappropriate. “You are a good soldier,” he purred. I snarled at him. “I know what you’re doing.” Once again, he was attempting to distract me. But he couldn’t distract me from the thought of him standing just a few footspans into the pass, with an entire regiment attacking him. The corner of his mouth kicked up. “It was always going to happen this way, Sin.” I made a tiny, broken noise, and Demos pulled me into his arms. He didn’t give me any false assurances, though. Instead, he practically dragged me toward the pass. Clearly, he’d given up cajoling me and was moving straight into pushy, domineering arrogance. I wasn’t surprised. This kind of behavior came much more naturally to him. “You’re going to do this, Asinia.” His voice was grim. “You’re going to live through this war. And if I’m...

Wild green eyes met mine. And the steadiness in them calmed the worst of my fear. “Are you ready, wildcat?”

WHAT TEAM?!

“This is what Regner does,” I said. My voice shook with rage, and I forced myself to firm it. “He creates loss and then basks in it. He creates lies and then enjoys the lack of trust. He creates hopelessness and benefits from the lives spent lost to it. “But this is not what we do. We create joy. We create friendship. We create life and love and hope.

The humans on the front would be Eprotha’s poorest. These were the villagers I’d grown up among. The people who’d lived without their own power for most of their lives. The fathers and sons who’d been conscripted and who’d had no choice but to fight for their king. Some of them wouldn’t even have been able to read the conscription notice they’d been handed. I choked out a sob, and my hand shook violently as I reached for my next arrow.

I really appreciate how these books handle the reality of war; that not every person is a blind follower, but had no choice and probably also have families

I’d wanted recognition. And if I did this, no one would ever know. It was bitterly ironic. But I’d know. And thousands of people would live. That was a price I was willing to pay. I’d promised Demos no stupid risks. I’m sorry.

Do NOT

And Demos began roaring Asinia’s name. Where was she? Where— Sprinting from the right, her silver armor stark against all the black, Asinia ran toward Regner’s front lines. Demos was fighting his way toward her, brutally cutting down anyone who stepped into his path. Rythos and Marth jumped into place, guarding Tor. Asinia hurtled down the edge of Regner’s lines, barely avoiding the human soldiers fleeing into the mountains. One of them struck out at her, and she ducked, rolled, and came back up on her feet. A path had cleared between Demos and Asinia. His eyes were wild. It seemed as if the stress of the war, the horror of this battle, had broken something in Asinia. And my brother…his screams…the agony in his voice burrowed deep into my chest.

DO NOT. DONT YOU DARE

Lorian was right. Because even though I was doing this for Pris and everyone else, it was Demos’s face that flashed in front of my eyes and stayed as I clenched my teeth and forced my hands to hold tight as my palms began burning, until my eyes watered and my lungs ached with a suppressed sob. And then I heard him. The roar Demos unleashed echoed across the battlefield. “Asinia!”

PLEASE DONT. I have Cavis ptsd

Asinia slumped to the ground, her eyes open and empty, skin drained of color. The mirror shattered. Demos dropped to his knees at her side. “Sin.” His voice broke, and he rocked her, a howl leaving his throat. Prisca wouldn’t stop screaming. And then Tibris was there, tears rolling down his cheeks as he shook his head.

THWRW IS NO FUCKING WAY

Prisca turned and walked away, her eyes filled with anguish and despair. Asinia still clutched the orb, even in death. Demos had curled up next to her, and he snarled at us as we approached. When he looked at me, I shivered.

You motherfucker. Tell me she comes back to.life

And then the orb began to glow once more. “It’s heating up!” Tibris said. Lorian snatched Prisca and hauled her away, ignoring her struggles. Herne grabbed Tibris, who cursed at him but allowed him to pull him several feet from Asinia’s body. Demos didn’t move. His sister screamed for him, and he still didn’t move.

SHE BETTER BE COMING BACK

And when I opened them again, Demos was holding Asinia’s body and rocking once more. Only this time, she was holding him back. Her eyes slid open, and I caught sight of something more within them. And then it was gone. “Please tell me Regner is dead,” she said. Prisca was immediately by her side. “You’re in so much trouble.” She threw her arms around Asinia, and both of them burst into tears.

Thank fuck

Live a life you will be proud to tell all of us about when we see you again.

Oh so im gonna cry

It was bittersweet. I could see that in the way Rythos stared at the empty place on Finley’s temple where the web had been. If Cavis had lived… He would be free now. His life would be his own.

:(