Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth, #2)

by Kristen Ciccarelli

“How dare you touch her.” Gideon knew better than to open his mouth. But he couldn’t help himself. “At least she likes it when I touch her.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing with my wife?”

My fav trope

“You want the truth?” Her own hurt bubbled up, like steam from a volcano ready to erupt. “This is the truth: I would have married you in a heartbeat, had you asked me. I would have married you knowing you would hand me over to my killers—or kill me yourself—the moment you found out what I was. That’s how pathetic I am, Gideon! That’s how desperately I wanted to be yours!”

Fuck it. Taking Rune’s face in his hands, drawing her gaze to his, Gideon did what he’d wanted to do for days now. Ever since he found her crying in that powder room. He slid his hands into her hair and kissed her. Rune tensed, like a deer in a hunter’s crosshairs. Don’t fight me, baby.

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

If this was weakness, he wanted to be weak. If this was sin, let him be damned to hell.

Kissing Rune was like a realignment. There was before, when everything was off its axis. And there was after, when everything was steady and right.

“You are far worse than a thorn in my side,” he said, his dark eyes gleaming at her. “You are a knife in my heart.”

“She was always out of your league, Sharpe.” “I’m well aware,” he whispered as they led him away.

Was Rune worth it? The thought of her only brought resolve. Rune is worth everything.

Rune is resilient. She’ll find a way to survive. She had to. Gideon didn’t want to live in a world without her.

“The problem with love is the more you try to destroy it, the stronger it becomes.”

“It might look like weakness on the surface. But in truth, it’s tougher than steel. Love can’t be controlled. Love can’t obey unjust laws. Love will always oppose tyrants.”

“I think someone broke her.” “Ah,” said Antonio, leaning back and folding his hands on the table. “Anything else?” Gideon glanced up. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to put her back together.” “You can’t put her back together. Only she can do that.”

“Because I was stupid enough to fall in love with a witch hunter. Stupid enough to hope he might love me back. And if he did, I wasn’t going to let anything come between us again.”

I don’t deserve this girl. He slid his palms against her cheeks and tilted her head back. But I want to. I want to be the man who deserves Rune Winters.

“I know you’re scared,” he said, walking backward. “I know this is hard. But I need you. Who else can show them the way if not a witch and a witch hunter, fighting side by side?”

“And if you’re wrong?” she demanded. “What if everything that’s broken can’t be restored?” “What if it can?”

She pulled free of his grasp. “She’ll kill us both.” Gideon stared at her. “Then it will be an honor to die at your side.” She

“I want to be your wife, Gideon.” The pulse in his throat kicked. “And these children you also want … they’re our children?”

Gideon plunged his fingers into her hair. “All right?” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Rune. Being married to you would be the honor of my life. You’re saying you’ll stay and fight, if I marry you?”

Kissing Gideon was like coming home. A steadying force, reminding her of who she was, and where she belonged.

I can’t change the past, he thought as they walked, taking in the damage. But together, maybe we can change the future.

Rune kissed Gideon back, determined to remember this moment, just in case it didn’t. Because for the first time in her life, she was completely herself. And that was worth everything. Even dying for.

“Sometimes our paths must diverge from those we love,” Antonio said as they rode, side by side, scanning the surrounding mountains. “But if love is the highest power, our paths will converge again—if not in this world, then the next.”

“It’s been an honor, Captain,” she whispered against his lips.

Pressing her hand to Gideon’s heart, Rune whispered: “Come find me in the next world.”

“If there’s a hell, I hope you burn in it.” “Go on, then.” Her eyes glittered black as she stared up at him. “Send me to hell.” His hands tightened.

Seraphine … is Wisdom? The Ancient?

“Effective immediately, no one is to be hunted or harmed for being a witch, and all purgings are outlawed.” “Says who?” shouted some wiseass three tables over. Laila glanced over to find four of her soldiers already dealing with him. “Says Commander Gideon Sharpe,” she growled. At Gideon’s name, a hush fell over the hall.