The King of Frost and Shadows (Fated to Darkness, #1)

by Jen L. Grey

My stomach somersaulted, and my cheeks hurt from how huge I was smiling. Great. If Sexy Man was interested in me, I was definitely not playing it cool. I finally felt something for someone! Though the sensation was startling. Being next to him felt right … and I never wanted to be apart from him again.

“My name’s Lira.” I motioned to my sister. “This is Eiric.” “Lovely names. They sound as if they’re from another world.” He bowed faintly. “I’m Tavish.”

Instead of appearing hurt, she jutted her chin, which made me want to kiss her and make her quiver. I wanted to be the one to make her fall apart.

Like I blasting needed to seek their approval when I’d been doing everything I could to take back what was rightfully ours … by readying myself to kill the one person who had made me feel something more than the anger I’d breathed for the past twelve years of my life. It was all for them. And this was how they responded.

“You won’t be with Finnian or anyone else,” he growled. “I couldn’t handle it, sprite. We have enough stacked against us—don’t make things harder than they need to be.” His face softened, and he released his hold, his hand running down my arm. “Please.”

My eyes burned, but I giggled at the ridiculousness of the situation. He inhaled, and his irises lightened, causing my heart to pound in my chest. “Are you okay?” The intensity with which he stared at me made my voice barely a whisper. “I forgot what that sounded like.” He reached over and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. “As a young boy, I always loved the sound of your laughter.” Loved.

“Lira,” he whispered. The raspy cadence rolled off his tongue like a song, and he kissed me.

If she didn’t kill Bran and Rona, I would, gladly, and enjoy the life leaving their eyes as I got justice for my fated mate. Fated mate. Two words I’d been avoiding and definitely not connecting to her, hoping not saying them would dissolve the connection. All the denial had accomplished was making me lose the few days I could have spent with her, making her mine in all ways. She couldn’t die. I wouldn’t allow it.

My chest yanked, and I wanted to scoop her into my arms to carry her back to my bedchamber, but not until I’d dealt with the threat. I kicked Moira’s sword out of her reach. “King Tavish,” she rasped, raising her hands. “What are you doing?” “Protecting what’s left of my heart.” My chest heaved, and my vision turned red. “I won’t let anyone hurt Lira again.” With that, I stabbed Moira in the chest, digging in slowly. I wanted her and everyone else to understand that I would do whatever it took to protect what belonged to me—Lira. I wouldn’t stand aside anymore. Anyone who wanted to harm her had to go through me and my blade.

As soon as her body settled into mine, the jolting took over, and my world steadied. For the first time since I’d brought her here, everything made sense to me. She belonged in my arms forever.

When he pushed her to the side, she moaned, and her heart sputtered. My lungs froze. I couldn’t lose her, not after realizing she meant more to me than anything in this realm or any other. She stood for everything I wasn’t … everything that, as a little boy, I’d dreamed we could be together. I wasn’t that little boy anymore, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want her beside me. In fact, she’d made me care in ways I hadn’t since the day I lost everything.