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Kindle Notes & Highlights
This is book one in a series and ends on a cliffhanger.
Ma'am why
They mirrored the phrase that chased her from dreams and nightmares her entire life, said in a voice that whispered of shadows and starlight. Love is a weakness.
“I love you more than the stars in the sky, my light. Never forget that.”
“Do not act with brashness when secrecy is your goal. Move quickly, but always with intention, and sometimes that intention will be to wait.”
Comfort could be bought, but peace was priceless.
that every sword needs a shield, every great power must be grounded, and even the strongest need protecting.”
I had a dream last night. I dreamed of silver and gold flames, of leathery wings, both blazing and shadowed. I dreamed of that which was feared, saving us all. And I dreamed that without darkness, we can never experience the light.
“I’m not sure if this is the only night you’ll give me. And since it very well may be, I intend to take this opportunity to worship you fully.”
“The only way something can ever catch you off guard,” he would say, “is if you choose to let it stay hidden.”
No. This was not a matter of pride. This was a matter of taking back power from men who never deserved to wield it.
“You will be my undoing, nio. Whenever you think it was you who lost control, remember—it was me who lost control first.”
Just go where she tells you, shake the hands that are offered, and for the love of all the gods, don’t try to stab anyone.” Mariah gave him a feral grin. “But that just takes the fun out of it.”
“Utter one more foul word about her and I will slit your throat from ear to ear. I’m sure the red of your blood will look like a work of art pooling at her feet.”
But words, when you start to repeat them often enough to yourself, begin to lose all their meaning. Begin to sound like nothing at all.
“You can change everything about what this kingdom has become. Show Onitan women that they can be—that they are—more than just property or priestesses. That we have power. We don’t worship a goddess because she’s weak, and I think it’s time this kingdom remembers that.”
“And I don’t care about your past, or your future, or any of it. Because you are fucking mine.”
“I thought you’d left me.” It was all she could think to say, the only words her mind would give her. Hurt was always the first emotion to manifest itself when challenged, much like a desperate animal cornered by a pack of hungry wolves. His answer was so quiet, she almost missed it. “I thought I had, too.”
“You brought me back to life, Mariah. And I don’t care if this means our very existence is now damned, or if this makes me the weakest man in the entire kingdom. But I love you. And I will love you until the stars blink out of existence and the moons drop from the sky. I love you with everything I am, and everything I will ever be.”
“You brought me back to life too, Andrian.”
“I do. More than the moons in the sky.”
“Come, my queen. Let me fuck you on your throne.”
If I ever see either of you again, I will not hesitate to cut your tongues from your mouths and feed you your own testicles before I roast you over a spit.”
Fuck yeah
