Rebel Witch (The Crimson Moth, #2)

by Kristen Ciccarelli

She wasn’t sure what was more upsetting: that Alex had loved her, or that Gideon didn’t.

“We both know what you want to do to me, Gideon. Well, here’s your chance.” His gaze slid to her mouth. “You have no idea, the things I want to do to you.”

Instead, he’d found this Rune. His Rune. A total mess. The basest part of him wanted to tilt her head back and kiss her until she told him why she was crying.

“I may not know Rune Winters,” he whispered, his mouth an inch from hers. “But I know the Crimson Moth. And she is no caged thing.”

“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!”

RUNE WAS RIGHT ABOUT one thing: she wasn’t just a girl. Not to him. She was so much more than that. Rune was a sparring partner. Someone to fight with, and admire. Someone to match. Rune was a force. One Gideon could barely keep up with.

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

Gideon said, “She said no, William. Didn’t your parents teach you that when a girl says no, she means it?”

Did a person change depending on their circumstances? Or was there something permanent about everyone? Something steadfast and true, despite their circumstances?

More importantly: she loved him, despite a million reasons not to.

“Merciful Ancients,” Gideon whispered, his heart squeezing painfully. Rune was the missing heir.

“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.

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.”

“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.”