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If I were a killer, he’d be the first to go. But lucky for him, I wasn’t.
Should I be concerned that this is so relatable…? 🙈🤣
“Music has a way of healing the shattered pieces hidden inside us. With each note, it mends the jagged edges of our soul, filling the crevices with a harmony no words can describe. The melody spreads a soothing balm to suppress our aches, frustration, and emptiness and replaces it with a symphony that allows our soul to take flight. Now, close your eyes and listen. Surrender to the rhythm pulsing under your skin—" My eyes fluttered closed. “—and let the music set you free.”
Stand tall in adversity and hold steadfast to truth amidst the lies, for courage isn’t freely given but earned by facing the battle head on.
“Sparrooow,” Zee singsonged. “I hear you.” My heart jolted in my chest.
Man, this gave me goosebumps… 😳
“He drives Hanson loony banging on his piano hour after hour. Clashing chords that make your eyes go crossed.” “Who knew music could be a weapon?” Raimen said.
Stay and I’ll not let them take you.” He held out his hand for mine. “I’ll protect you.” “Right. And you think I forgot that you tried to tie me up with a bed sheet yesterday?” “Tie,” he said, holding up one finger. “Not kill. You keep trying to run away, and I don’t like that.” “Most captives don’t like being held against their will. You should know.” “How else do I get you to stay?” His hands balled into fists. I crossed my arms. “Why do you want me to stay?” “Do I need a reason?”
“Your company is . . . tolerable.” He inclined his head as if he had offered me the highest praise. “Well, I find your company not,” I seethed, insulted beyond comprehension. He froze for a second, momentarily stunned by my outburst.
“You’d drink from the chalice? For what? My company?” “For you to stay with me—forever.” My jaw dropped in utter shock. He couldn’t be serious. “I think it’s a fair trade. You live, and I get . . . you.”
But when I saw you the other day . . . you were beautiful.” He blinked and turned away to mumble, “really beautiful.”
☺️
“Who hurt you?”
HE SAID IT!!! HE SAID THE LINE!!!
“Who is he?” he asked, his voice low. “The head guard in the dungeon.” “Consider it taken care of. Who else?”
😏 ⚔️
“You promise to tell me if there’s anyone else?” I bit my lip. “Promise me.” “I promise.”
“I said I’d protect you, little sparrow, and I will.”
Trust was like a snowflake, a beautiful fragile crystal. Each one unique and rare, but if it broke, it was impossible to put back together.
Tapping my lip, I tried to figure out another explanation. “Oh! Think of plucking an apple from its tree and then choking on its fruit. Is it the tree’s fault because it grew the apple? Or is it yours for eating too quickly?” “The tree.” An unexpected laugh slipped from me at his quick response, and I rolled my eyes. “Zee . . .” “You laughed.” His mouth twitched. “It was pretty.”
😂☺️❤️
“Sparrow,” he whispered. His shadow danced behind him, curious as if trying to peek over his shoulder. “Trust me.”
“I’m sorry. I swear, I haven’t spoken that phrase more than once in the last five years, and now it seems to be every other sentence with you. It’s . . . humbling.”
He rotated us mid-fall, tucking me in his arms so I landed on top of him. He groaned at the impact, wincing in pain. “Zee,” I cried out. “Why do you never listen to me?”
He drove me crazy half the time, and the other half he was crazed himself.
😂
“Stay with me.” It wasn’t a command, but a plea. “I don’t want to be alone anymore. Please.” And just like that, I passed the point of no return as the final wall around my heart crumbled.
Was that what love meant? Sacrificing yourself for the sake of someone else?
“There aren’t enough words to say how much I will miss you. How does one say goodbye to food, water, or air? I need all these things to live . . . just like I need you. I’ll have to learn how to survive somehow.”
“You gave me everything. And I will spend the rest of my life giving you all of me in return. You, Fiona Ravenwood, have my heart until the end of time. And even then, I think I will love you from the beyond, waiting for you to join me. Anywhere you go, let me go too.” “As if I’d ever let you leave this world without me,” I scoffed, burying my face in his chest.
“Oh, no,” he said dramatically, pointing at the single bed on the floor. “What?” “Since there’s only one bed, it appears we’re destined to share it. How ungentlemanly of me, but there seems to be no other choice.” He didn’t sound very upset about it.
This guy wanted the “Only One Bed” trope in his story… tsk tsk 😂
He dropped onto his mattress with his lower lip jutted out. “Monsters don’t pout.” He flopped on his back. “This one does.”
🤣
Speaking of which, whatever happened to Gorgton?” Alizar tucked his arms behind his head. “Alive, unfortunately.
“No more stabbing people. Promise?” He sucked in a breath. “I can’t. If it’s between your life and someone else’s—I’m always going to pick you. But I’m willing to not stab anyone if they’re not threatening you . . . unless you want me to.” I mean . . . that is progress.
😜❤️⚔️
I collected blades from all over Hanalla. After I pinned a guard to a bookcase, they confiscated them. I didn’t even hurt him.” He huffed. “It actually takes more precision and skill to hit so close to a target and not draw blood.” “I’ll try to act like that’s not concerning.”
“Did you love me, Father?” The king blanched, unprepared for the question. “Who could love a disappointment like you?” “Me,” I growled.
😠❤️
“I’m just so happy that you’re here and I don’t have to do this alone. I love you so much, and when I think my heart is overflowing, you fill it up more.”
“You say that like this is the only song I wrote for you.” He nuzzled into my ear. “It’s just the only one I have played for you. You, my muse, are the notes that beat in my heart—music so wonderful that I’m too greedy to share with the world. There is a melody in each of your smiles, when you wake in the morning, and when you laugh unexpectedly. But most especially when your lips are on mine—for that one is the most exquisite of all.”
