The Songbird & the Heart of Stone (Crowns of Nyaxia, #3)

by Carissa Broadbent

“Wrote is a strong word. I just…” I was too close to him to see him, but I felt his muscles shift as he shrugged. And then he said, after a moment, “I just played the notes that sounded like you.”

“I’ll tell you what you’ll have if you lose the sun, Mische. You’ll have a soul gentler than any vampire’s I’ve ever known. You’ll have an incredible magic and the skill to wield it better than the bastard who gave it to you. You’ll have a soft heart and a sharp wit and the wisdom to know when to use one or the other. You’ll have countless inane questions and horrible taste in food and a penchant for making lost souls love you.” I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t speak. He leaned closer until his forehead touched mine. “And if you’ll take it, Mische Iliae, you will have me, too.”

The echo of Ophelia’s words hung between us: You’re nothing but a regret to everyone you ever loved. My heart hurt for him. I cupped his cheek, thumb caressing the elegant threads of his scar. “I’ll never regret you.”