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My life was not my own.
I’d never considered myself to be hungry for power like my parents, but I knew I had it in me to be a fair and just ruler. Someone the people could look up to and would worship and admire. They’d speak my name with love—write songs about me. I would be remembered long after I was six feet under. That was my dream. Wasn’t that what everyone wanted? To be loved for all eternity? I didn’t care if that love didn’t come from a man. I’d accept it from the world instead.
“Touch me again, princess, and it’ll be the last thing you do with those pretty little fingers.”
“Next time, it’ll be your heart. If one even exists under that armor of yours.”
Even when he hated me, Ladon looked at me like he really saw me. Other people either paid me no attention or only reluctantly did so because they knew I was of noble lineage. Not Ladon. His eyes had always pierced right through to my soul, even if he didn’t like what he saw.
Her fingers tangled with mine mindlessly, and I didn’t want to let them go. Didn’t want to lose her touch. She stirred and began to pull away, but I laced my fingers firmly between hers. Emilie stared at where our hands connected for a moment, motionless. “Ladon—” “Please,” I pleaded. I couldn’t stand to let her go. I needed her presence to keep me sane. “Don’t leave me.”
honest in exchange for what he’d given me. “I was thinking…I was thinking that I wish Reyna weren’t in the room. I was thinking that I wished it was real.” Immediately, I questioned my sincerity. If Ladon would throw it in my face and use it against me. But he blinked a few times, his mouth parted slightly. I thought I saw a tinge of pink stain his cheeks. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
“I worry about you. And not just because I’m supposed to be this grand protector. Your pain”—he tapped his chest—“I feel your pain in my chest, like it’s my own. Your fear is my fear, Emilie. When I saw you tonight…it killed me. I worry about you because I’m terrified of losing you.”
worry about you, too. Even more than I worry about myself, if that’s even possible. I think…I think you might be the person I care about most in this life.”
In this cold and damp prison, Emilie was my one beacon of hope. The reason I hadn’t completely given up yet. She gave me purpose, fulfilled my sense of duty and obligation to protect.
I needed her like I needed
“You have no idea how special you are, Ladon Castelli.”
I ran my fingers through Emilie’s wet hair, her cheek pressed against my chest. My heart pounded at the sight of her sleeping on top of me, one arm hugging me. She looked…she looked like my entire world.
No, I wanted to fight beside her. I wanted to be her biggest supporter, her comfort when the fight was won, her sanctuary where she would find peace. I wanted her love. Because I was in love with her.
could be both a loving companion and a fierce warrior. She hadn’t made me weaker. She made me stronger.
Remember what they did to you. What they did to Ladon. Remember everything they took from you. Show no mercy.
“The truth is, I’ve never felt more me than when I’m with you.”
Piece by piece, she stole my soul and I’d never get it back. But I didn’t want it back, because it belonged to her. I belonged to her.
“This isn’t the end for us, Ladon. You and I—we’re meant to be together. I feel it in my soul.”
"Falling for you might be the most foolish thing I've ever done." I hesitated. "But I love you."
