Reign of Stars and Fire (The Broken Kingdoms, #8)

by L.J. Andrews

“No, listen.” He clutched my face between his hands again. For the first time, I noted the tears in his eyes. “You must let me go if it puts you at risk, understand? An entire kingdom needs you. Do not risk them for my sake.” “But I need you.”

So tell me, what would ever bring me to consider taking back what I freely gave you?” “Because I am not worthy of you!”

“Because there are still demons in my mind that tell me my wife is . . . safer without me.”

“I hate this conversation, and will throw the mightiest of tantrums should it continue.”

“Never think such a thing again, understand me? You are my wife. To me that means you are my every bleeding sunrise.”

“Fearsome is the word you will always use for me, beguiling is even better, and I am soft-hearted for one soul alone—my wife.” He hesitated before going on. “Junie and I cannot have littles, perhaps this is the reason we take so many young ones into our guild. Call it a habit, but it sits rather sour in my mouth to turn away small ones.”

Until cold, bitter shadows blanketed me in horrid thoughts. “I want to know where you’ve taken my Kryv.” A low, dangerous rasp lifted the hair on my arms. “You play games with the earth, but everyone can break under the pressure of fear.”

“I love you, Saga,” he said softly. “Life with you is my greatest honor.”

“You ought to know, I realized I’m violently in love with you.”

Ari grinned. Hand pressed to his heart, he bowed slightly. “My Queen. You look at me like you cannot decide if I should be under your blade or wiping tears of joy from your face, but—”