Rise of the Cinder Fae (Dark Hearts Fairytale Retellings, #1)

by Whitney Dean

“Don’t mistake survival for weakness, Elora. It doesn’t all look the same.”

“You are my brother, Finn. And my best friend.” She entirely turns to place a gentle hand on my chest. “And I love you. But I swear to the gods, Finnian, if you fail, if that girl loses her life because of you, you will never see me again.” “Irina,” I breathe, eyes widening in surprise. “I will not stand by and let another man control the fate of women, Finnian.”

My years in the army did not prepare me for the elbow of a scorned woman.

She’s only here because she has to be. Repeating that reminder will be our only saving grace for keeping the lines between us crystalline. Elora is the type to make me beg. And I would. On my knees.

Elora has awakened a thirst in me that I can’t seem to quench unless I’m touching her. Longing—I long for her. I’ve never yearned for anyone, but I search for her when she isn’t near. I look forward to our encounters, even if only to taste the bane she spews.

It’s natural for humans to need the belief that something better exists because it makes the realization sweeter when it dawns on us that our life isn’t about what we have, but the satisfaction we find within.”

“Don’t apologize for something that can’t be helped. I don’t love you despite it, Finnian; I love you because you’re you. I love you in the same way you love me. Wholly. And it breaks my heart that you were made to feel broken because someone couldn’t love you through it. It makes me sick that instead of comforting you, she sought solace in someone else. I promise it doesn’t bother me, and I promise I’ll never think less of you.”

Finnian follows my wave, frowning.

This extreme posessiveness and jealousy from Finnian is really giving me the ick.