The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom, #1)

by Rachel Gillig

There was no warmth in his eyes. Then

“Rodrick Myndacious.”

The king went red, and Maude scrubbed a hand down her face. I heard a thump under the table, and Rory winced.

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It happened quickly. A tightening of muscle in Rory’s brow, a flare in his eyes. A genuine shred of something, peeking through all his derision. It was gone as quick as it came.

“I think you like that I’m a bad knight. It’s why you feel so righteous, flaying me with your tongue—why you enjoy throwing me down and grinding your heel into my pride. It does something to you.” He wet his bottom lip. “I’d bet my oath your whole body is awake right now, aching and eager at the thought of putting me in my place.”

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“You want to throw me down,” Rory said, eyelids dropping as he whispered into my parted lips. “And

I, prideful, disdainful, godless, want to drag you into the dirt with me.”

“After all, sprites have plagued Traum for centuries. Everyone knows that.” “Perhaps,” I murmured. “Then again, someone rather wise once said, ‘Traum’s histories are forged by those who benefit from them, and seldom those who live them.’ ”

Ah

“I don’t like your tone.”

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And while his batlike face remained cold, his fingers trilled excitedly behind his back.

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“Pith, you think there’s something wrong with me—” “I don’t.” Rory’s voice was gravel. “I was wondering what it would be like. Watching you unravel.”

O

“I fear she will die without ever having lived.”

Stoop

“I’m discourteous and utterly poisoned by contempt. I know that.” His throat hitched. “And I don’t know how to behave around you. You make me so fucking nervous. But letting you fall underwater when all you ever did at Aisling was drown, I—”

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anger. “If you value your friend when he fights your battles for you—when he is rogue and ruthless—you must value him when he is gentle, too. Otherwise you do not value him at all.”

“I know things have not been anything like you thought they’d be when you left Aisling, Diviner. But I hope you know how special you are to us. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without you.”

“You could walk over me, Sybil Delling. Throw me down until I am dust. I don’t know what to call it, but I want it. I want you.”