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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Stacia Stark
Read between
May 3 - May 10, 2025
“Keep your secrets,” I said. “I’m choosing to trust you, wildcat.”
She instantly looked like I’d stabbed her in the gut. Oh yes, whatever she was keeping from me was something I wasn’t going to like at all. So I twisted that knife. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s that you would never betray me.”
“Never. It will be like this forever, wildcat,” he rasped. It wouldn’t. Lorian seemed to hear my silent thought,
I froze. My arms came around his tiny body almost of their own volition. “Mama.” I looked down into his green eyes—so different from mine. My rotten, black heart cracked open. “Yes,” I croaked. “Yes, I’m your mama.”
I would do whatever it took to make sure that didn’t happen.
“We need to keep this from Lorian. If he finds out, he’ll come with me. And Conreth has made it clear that can’t happen.” Demos gave me a hard stare. “I don’t care what repercussions he faces for it. I want him there.”
Lorian’s eyes met mine. “Keep your secrets, wildcat,” he called. “I’ll learn them soon enough.”
“I still don’t believe you should be going without your fae bodyguard.” I shook my head. Calling Lorian a bodyguard was a little like calling a lion a house cat.
She spotted me, sauntered toward us, and dropped the sack at my feet. “Your coin, Your Majesty.” She grinned at me.
I was desperate for a hot meal, a warm bath, and my woman.
“You allowed her to leave without me?”
“I sent five of my most trusted guards. She will be fine.”
“Fine? That woman could find mortal danger in an empty, freshly plowed field. How could you do this to me, brother?
As your king, I forbid you to leave.
As your brother, you can go fuck yourself.”
King overrules brother this ti...
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“So you were protecting me then, were you?” I let out a bitter laugh. “How did you convince her to go along with your plan?
“I reminded her that you’d already committed treason once by not following directions.”
“I’m leaving,” I said.
Conreth’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve never asked you for anything. I’ve protected you, Emara, and this kingdom since I was old enough to swing a sword. And the first chance you had, you lied...
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The blood drained from his face. “I won’t let you...
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I let out a low laugh. “You believe you can stop the Bloodthirsty Prince, brother? How many men do you have who will line up to die? Not the guard to you...
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“You would make an enemy of your king?”
“No. But you will listen carefully when I tell you this—if you try to keep me from Prisca again, it will become your biggest regret.”
I stalked toward the stables. An endless fury swept through me, even as a line of cold sweat ran down my spine. She was fine. I would know if she weren’t. Somehow, I would know.
“Lorian.” Rythos strode toward me, his expression tense. “I know you’re not trying to leave us behind.”
“Tell Cavis he doesn’t need to—” “I’m coming,”
Conreth’s men seemed very interested in getting us to the pass as quickly as possible. Almost as if they were on some kind of schedule that involved Lorian not finding out where we were. Shocking.
An arrow flew through the air, hitting the blade and knocking my sword from my hand. Several other swords dropped behind me. I reached for my power … And Lorian stepped into our path. Rythos, Galon, Marth, and Cavis melted from the forest, surrounding us.
He flashed his teeth in a grim smile. “Imagine my surprise when I returned to camp and found you’d left without me.
We have orders from His Majesty,” Cadrus said.
Lorian kept his eyes on me. “I’m overriding those orders.”
His gaze drifted back to me. “I’ll deal with you later.”
“Stab him,” I ordered Cadrus. “We’ll leave him bleeding out right here.”
“Stop trying to protect me.
“I can’t!” My voice cracked, and I covered my face with my hands.
Lorian caught my hands, pulling them back down. He’d gone very still. “An...
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Gods, I’d missed him.
“You want to visit your kingdom? I can save you a week of travel.”
“...
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First, we neg...
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“Lori...
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“What have I told you, Prisca? You never give up. Not you.”
“You know me. You know I’d never do it unless there was no other choice.”
“If you’re ever taken, I will find you. No matter ho...
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“And if you’re dead or ...
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