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Grim frowned. “Not for one woman,” he spat, like the words insulted him. He stepped toward her. “For my wife.”
“If waging a war for one woman is a crime, then please do consider me a criminal.” Closer. “If killing thousands to keep you alive is wrong, then consider me a villain.” She now had to tilt her head to see him clearly. He leaned down. His breath was hot against her mouth. “If loving you this much is my downfall . . . then consider me already on my knees.”
“I would do it a thousand times over, heart; you should know that. I will choose you over the world every single time.”
“Just because we’re married, don’t think I won’t gut you.” Only when she reached the door did she hear him say, “I would expect nothing less, wife.”
“You don’t have to hide yourself,” Grim said. “Not with me. Not here. Not ever.”
“Please,” he said, his eyes wide. Desperate. “Please don’t go. I’m sorry. Hate me,” he pleaded. “Hate me all you want. Hate me forever. Just—just don’t leave.” He took a step toward her. “I love you, Isla. I need you.”
Power has a price. She knew that better than anyone.
You’ve been told all you need to know. Goodbye, Isla World-maker.”
“You’re right. I don’t know what love is. I don’t know how to love. If you ever gave me another chance to love you, I would learn. I would learn the right way to love you.”
“You are the greatest thing that has ever stepped foot into my cave, Isla Thorn-tide.”
“I know what was written, and I am but a servant of the book. Your fate is on one of the very last pages. I’m curious to see where your future goes from there.”
“Your blood spoke to me in many tongues. You wear your fate like a crown of blades. Doesn’t it hurt?”
“You can defang a snake, but the poison remains.”
“Find the portal, Isla Stormheart. It has power. Take it. Use it to live. Its fate is tied to yours. Find the portal . . . find your fate.”
“Such blood . . . Use it wisely, Isla Cursecure. Your parents gave you such gifts.”
“Not to worry. You will be back, Isla Heartblade,” he said, his voice echoing through the cave as she tore out of it. “It has been written.”
Snake queen? She would be the villain they already believed her to be.
We’re joined by purpose. And that, I’ve found, can be stronger than blood.”
“Hearteater. As far as I’m concerned, you killed me the day you met me. I’ve never been the same.”
“You see, I used to have nightmares too, heart.” He did? She must have looked surprised, because he said, “You wouldn’t know. They all stopped when I met you.”
“No. I don’t like names, or titles. They come with expectations. And I so often fall short of them.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t underestimate yourself, when you’re trying. So many people never bother. They decide they can’t make a difference, so they don’t even try. And trying . . . that’s the hardest part. Not succeeding, but all the trying it takes to get there.”
Wildling women have fangs that curve out of their mouths like pythons, they have claws like panthers—they drink blood in buckets.
“I married all of you, Isla. Not just the good parts. Not just the good days. Don’t hide from me.”
“My memory is useless, when it comes to you,” he murmured. “You’re always so much more beautiful than I remember.”
“Villainous from your first breath.”
“I’m not sure of much in this world, Isla, but I am sure of this. My love for you doesn’t know reason. It doesn’t know limit. It doesn’t know death. In every universe, every timeline, I am yours . . . and you are mine.”
“Remember, Isla. Weapons are nothing without those who wield them.”
“You’re looking at me like I’m something to worship,”
“No world exists in which I do not love you.”
“You can’t hide from me,” he growled. “Even if I can’t see you, I can feel you. You are relentless. You are a gravity I’ve tried to escape, but I can’t. I can’t , Isla.”
“My love for you is like that forever flame, Isla. Relentless. Stubborn. Endless. Burning brightly, even if you’re not around to see it.”
“Let me give you some advice, Isla,” she said. “Kill your heart before it kills you.” She stepped closer. “The heart is always our downfall. No matter the poetry or the lessons about love conquering all, no—the opposite. Love conquers us. It is the true ruler. The true equalizer. The true weapon and scythe among men.”
