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

by L.J. Andrews

My sister had the responsibility as the eldest to ensure our delicate royal blood remained secure. She was already betrothed to our cousin, Calder. A blithesome man who had eyes for everyone but Runa. Perhaps, I was the more fortunate one.

OF COURSE HE DOESNT HAVE EYES FOR HER THEYRE COUSINSSSS

“That is the hope. Many a mother would happily toss their daughters at your feet.” “Wouldn’t work, I’m afraid. I prefer my women off their knees, upright, and standing on their own.” “At your back?” “At my side.”

Oh he's a MANNNN

His jaw tightened. “The Blood Wraith comes for no one in particular.” “So, you do think it was him?”

If Legion is the Blood Wraith i will die.

I smiled. Legion. Mad as I was at the man, even ill, he’d sent Halvar to defend me. I could chalk it up to him protecting his investments, but if I had to take a guess, I think Legion was more a decent sort and genuinely cared.

I won't ever seen Legion and the Blood Wraith in the same room

“Jarl,” I said, heat in my cheeks. “Forgive me, it has been . . . a busy day.” Jarl stalked into the room, holding no trinket of affection, nothing to impress me with. He wore his black military gambeson over crimson fatigues. His eyes held a bright spark of amusement when he sat across from me.

Maybe Jarl is the Blood Wraith. This I can get behind

“I’m free in these trees.”

and I speak for the trees

Legion grinned. “Very well. I’m interested to know of your preferences first.” A man like you.

Me too Elise... me too...

Legion dropped his gaze and picked at the grass. “The world would be darker should you be silent.” He’d said it so softly I wasn’t certain I’d heard correctly. A bit of red colored the tips of his ears and he cleared his throat.

OH GREAT HEAVENSSSS

Jarl hesitated for nothing. “Herr Grey, you’ve returned. I have a great many things to discuss with you about the security of Kvinna Lysander and would⁠—” “Elise,” Legion interrupted. “Walk with me.”

I would do whatever Legion asks of me.

Jarl stepped next to me. “Is she well enough?” He didn’t ask me. In fact, spoke as if I were not standing there. Legion raised his dark brows. “I suppose you might ask her, but if she is not, it’s rather inconsiderate of you to keep her on her feet, isn’t it?” Jarl flushed and bowed his head with a taut jaw. “I’m well enough to walk,” I said, going to Legion’s side.

HEHEHEEHHEEHE

A muscle twitched in Legion’s jaw, but I guessed I was the only one close enough to notice. Legion hid his disquiet beneath the signature slyness of his grin. “I don’t speak for Elise. She has her own voice.” By the gods, the man knew how to set my pulse aflame.

HEHEHEHE

“Let go, Elise,” he breathed against my ear. “Give this to me, those cries, those desires. I want them for myself.”

A simmering heat roared in his dark eyes as he pinched my chin between his fingers. Leaning in, his lips feather soft on my cheek, he said, “All of this is what you deserve in a match. And I wish, by the gods, I wish I could be the one to give it to you always.”

ARGHBBB FORBIDDEN LOVE PAINS ME

A boy of the night, Prince Valen Krigare Ferus . . .

This is legion

Our words were heavy with the storm we’d created last night. Legion grinned, bowed his farewell at us, but as we passed, our fingertips brushed, then curled around each other for a secret, forbidden moment.

I'm eating this up

“I feared for you,” he said. The admission was soft, as though he considered not speaking at all. “When you weren’t in your chamber. It took me from behind, this fear deep in my chest, and for a moment I could not think straight. I would’ve torn the longhouse to pieces had Mavie not seen me.”

Give him to me now

Legion leaned his face closer. Our brows touched. He paused and ran his fingers through my hair. “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?”

MY HEARTTT

Legion was the Blood Wraith.

I KNEWWWWW ITTTTTT. but low-key when she was attacked by him it was an accident kinda like he wasn't really attacking her idk.. but I knew it

“Understand something: I will never choose you again.”

ELISE UGHHH

Hunched over me, like a sort of shield, Legion blinked in stun. He stumbled to his knees and slowly, together, our eyes traveled to the center of his chest. A fiery gold sword had torn through his heart. “Legion!” No! This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Blood dripped over his lips, down his chin. Blood from his chest splattered onto the stone seal beneath us.

NOOOOUHH

No longer Legion Grey. I had helped free Valen Ferus. The Night Prince.

I knew ittttt

“Execute you?” he said, a little astonished. “I may know my name, but I have yet to question for whom my heart beats.”

Heheheheh

“Quite the opposite. I care for you, want you, more than I care to breathe. But this will end in your blood. And I will not do that. Not to you.” Panic rose in my chest. He was pulling away, leaving. “Don’t hide from what you were born to do.”

ARRGGHHH

He made his choice. And I wasn’t it.

helllllllllll naw.

Not ready to say farewell to Legion Grey?

No. No I am not ready to part with him.