Threaded (The Solstice Cycle, #1)

by Tay Rose

“Nothing quite inspires men and brings them to their knees before you like the promise of something more.”

I’m giving you the choice that I never had. I don’t want anyone serving in my court who doesn’t wish to be there.”

I promise to be your armor against the world and to guard your back against those who might wish this kingdom harm.”

silver or gold. Mariah watched, and it appeared as if the threads were … conversing.

I swear my life, my sword, my shield, and my soul to you.

Internally, she felt the magic examining her, peeling apart the layers of her soul, digging into her very essence to reach a place she didn’t know existed.

And in that moment, he knew he hated her.

BAHAHHAHA OH NOOOO

She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

to bury his fingers into those near-black tresses, to know exactly how good it would feel to wind his hands in the lengths and pull⁠—

YESSSSSS 🥵🥵🥵

his shadows tremored in response, deep in their hiding place within the pit where his soul should be.

Somehow, someway, this girl who had to be just barely twenty-one gave him a smile that screamed of knowledge, power, and dark promises.

It was positively terrifying and beautiful all at once. A dark goddess stood before him.

when their eyes had locked and his ears had rang so intensely he’d thought his mind might collapse like a dying star, he’d written it off as an anomaly.

Now, though, when his skin met hers … it was as if he’d been struck by lightning, burning through his veins and searing his skin from the inside out.

No matter what, life had taught him that hatred was preferable to fear. Preferable to anything.

“I look forward to learning more about you, Andrian. I am especially eager to hear why you said those words, when the only emotion I can see on your face is contempt.”

As he stepped into a dark corner beside the dais, wreathed in the same shadows that crawled beneath his skin,

SHADOW DADDY 😱😱😱🥵🥵🥵

He wouldn’t call her by her name, not to her face.

that strange word inscribed onto the cover in silver foiling—Ginnelevé—over

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.

Repeated, over and over again across that page, was the phrase, “Love is my strength.”

When their eyes collided, she couldn’t help but smirk. Caught you.

“I look forward to seeing just how much you come to regret this decision tonight.”

letting the magic burn through the remaining shreds of her humanity.

she would recall what seemed to be the hint of a dark, wild smile on his full lips, his tanzanite eyes gleaming with something far from fear or worry.

Bc babes isn’t afraid of youuuuuuu

I waited twenty-one years to meet you, knowing you would be worth the wait, hoping beyond hope I would be offered the chance to bind myself to you forever.”

Beneath his shirt, inked across his chest, just over his heart, was a tattoo … Her Mark.

The more she stared, the more she saw dark wings curled in a crescent, a tail tucked around itself, and a bowed head with flames leaping from an open maw.

“Remember, Mariah. With me.”

“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.”

As the picture of shadowed, wicked tanzanite lanced through her mind,

I know I’m not your consort.”

Omg did he see Andrian’s eyes too?!?

Andrian gave her another cold smile. “I knew you were more than just a pretty face, nio.”

“That name you keep calling me. Tell me what it means.” A glancing smirk over his shoulder. “‘Bitch.’”

Scourge—Flétrir, as he was called in Old Onitan—the demon king of Enfara, the great abyss of their world

The Golden Moon Goddess, the Goddess of Life, gifted her a piece of her own essence, magic that bound itself to Xara’s soul,

“Carrying Qhohena’s undiluted power, Xara rallied her people, called down dragons from the very stars, and met Flétrir on a great battlefield,

had crawled his way out of Enfara for one thing—or, rather, for one being.

“He wanted the sister of Qhohena, the one who ruled beside her in a moon of glimmering silver. He wanted Zadione.”

Delaynie would be trouble, but not for Mariah.

THE SASSY WOMEN UNITE 🔥🔥🔥

Each day, what had once been two separate balls of thread in her soul were slowly melding together, becoming one,

The first was a rich brown, the color of fresh-tilled earth;

second a stunning sea green

third and fourth were both sha...

as light as the summer sky, the other ...

fifth was perhaps the most unique, most of its scales a d...

One was a brilliant silver, the other untarnished gold.

he leaned against a tall marble statue of the Consort God, Priam.

ITS RIGHT HERE PEOPLE 👀👀👀

“You know nothing of my secrets, nio.