Of Ash and Iron (Flame Cursed Fae, #3)

by Eliza Raine

"So why did you put an end to his pain?" "Because the actions of another person do not define my own," I tell him.

"Thyrvi, you've got to try to be quieter," I say, turning back to my bear. She freezes, something that I think is a toad squished in one paw, halfway to her mouth. I close my eyes. "You have to take this seriously." There's the sound of chewing. "I am. I will eviscerate all enemies." "And toads?" "I was hungry." "You're always hungry." "So would you be, if you were as mightily proportioned as I am."

He steps away from the brand, his skin red and seared. The ancient rune for the word "alone" is burned into his flesh. Just like mine. "I— Why—" I try to speak, but words aren't working. "Now we're alone, together."

He took a fucking brand for me. I love him. The force of the realization is overwhelming, and I suck in air wrong and end up swallowing a sob. I love him. Oh, gods in Asgard, I love him. It's not lust or fascination or obsession. It's love. I can't be without him. I never, ever want to be apart from him. I would do more than take a brand for him. I would lay down my life for him.

"Why did you do that?" "You know why. Any way to be bound to you, I will take. Any way to keep you free from the monsters of this world, I will take."

"Kain, I think I'm in love with you." I bite my lip as I stare up at him. Flames dance in his irises as his chest heaves. "Princess, I've been fighting falling in love with you since the week you got here." "Did you win?" "It's the only fight I've ever lost."