Court of Ice and Ash (The Broken Kingdoms, #2)

by L.J. Andrews

“He always will,” Tor snarled. “You will either be his rise or his downfall. And neither of you sees it.”

Never did I anticipate such an infuriating, foolhardy, beautiful creature to take command of my every decision. I tried to keep a fair distance, tried to keep aloof, and I still cracked at the slightest thought of harm befalling her. She did not have fury, but she might as well have. Elise Lysander cast a spell over me. One I could not break.

“When someone trusts you so much that they reveal their broken, splintered pieces, you cannot unsee them. You help them mend. You share yours.”

“I am the man who touches you. The only man.” His lips drew close to my ear; his voice grew dark and violent. “You’re mine, Elise Lysander.”

He didn’t care about anyone watching when he pulled me close and kissed me. Not long enough, and the kiss came from a place of fear. A tremble darkened his voice when he whispered against the curve of my ear, “Never doubt for whom my heart beats.”

“You might care with the best intentions, but I love her,” I shouted at them, finishing the rest over my shoulder as I walked away. “Go to Ravenspire for your reasons. I go for Elise Lysander.” No one followed me. No one tried to soothe me again. I stormed back to her shanty, locked the door. My back scraped over the wood as I slid to the ground. To the eaves I made a silent vow. By the end of tomorrow, I would find Elise. I could not stand any longer than that. By the end of tomorrow, I would be king.

“I have several,” I said evenly. “But most know me as Valen Ferus, the Night Prince.”

I gathered my gown, a new burn in my heart. Today, even if vows were forced, it changed nothing. There would be one man who held my heart, and I would fight until the day I could tell him the depths of mine.

“My name is Valen Ferus, the Night Prince of Etta! And you, false king, you are in my seat.”

He covered my hand with his and pressed a kiss to my palm. “You should know, Kvinna, my heart and soul are yours for the taking.”