Curse of Shadows and Thorns (The Broken Kingdoms, #1)

by L.J. Andrews

Gurst has made clear his unyielding desire to take vows with you. But be warned—the man has no teeth, and smells like he was swallowed by a whale, then vomited it back out.

“With all respect, Kvinna, you are strange.”

Agitator dressed in a dark bearskin glared at the top of the bell tower. Light from the warning flames cast his face in a bloody glow. He sneered. His lips and teeth were stained in a filmy black. But his eyes were dark as pitch. Not even the flames reflected in them.

Like the "craven"

The Blood Wraith was gone on second glance.

Like blood and ash...cas?

“Release the past and trust those undeserving of it.”

“What your heart desires, there your fate lies.” She lowered her voice to a rough whisper. “When you see the beast within, let him in to let him go. Only then will he bring the change you seek.”

“This path is not written in stone. It must be chosen.”

the girl gripped my wrist. A steady thrum of heat pulsed along my skin. “The tomb. Open it. Change it all.”

“I ask how I am to give you to some fool because I do not know how. How am I to accomplish anything I set out to do here when my heart burns to have you for myself?”