More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
He reached for Zevander, running his finger over the marking on his chest, a curious black swirl that’d seemed to anger Cadavros. On closer examination, there seemed to be words written in ancient Primyrian embedded in the swirl in a way that reminded Lady Rydainn of a wax seal across his heart. Branimir’s lips twisted to a snarl as he whispered the words that stabbed her conscience. “Il captris nith reviris.” What is taken will never return.
MaRiSsA liked this
I was no more than a few days old when I’d been found abandoned before that cursed arch in a wicker basket, a single black rose upon my chest. No one knew who’d left me there, but every villager speculated that, whoever they were, they must have hoped the woods would eat me, as well.
MaRiSsA liked this
“Or do you think their nether regions just sway back and forth as they walk? Like the snout of a pendulynx.”
“The prisoner. When he grabbed you, he spoke strangely. Some are calling it the devil’s tongue.”
How tragic that a woman’s worth equated to the depth of a man’s pockets.
“Except Cadavros is dead. Long dead.”
Long, black hair lay strewn about her pillow and plastered to her sweaty brow. Porcelain skin that carried the soft pink of a fever. Full, bow-shaped lips, slightly parted. Fucking beautiful. As he pulled back the flames, he tipped his head, staring down at her. What a pity. Like an enchanting goddess, she slept soundly, a fringe of long, black lashes fluttering against the top of her cheeks, while her body succumbed to his power. An ache stabbed his chest, as he marveled at those thick, pouty lips and gleaming skin that compelled him to touch her. That scent that clawed at his senses, urging
...more
“For a bit. Fever. It passed after a few days.” “It didn’t pass.” Chickens clustered inside the coop where she tossed cracked corn. “It became a part of you.” “Part of
“The dead, Girl.” Huffing, she swapped the cracked corn for a bucket of water and filled a trough. “Blood given for blood taken. Can’t be undone now.” Blood taken. It was then I knew she’d seen me kill and bury the raven. “Your ties with the dead were eternal the moment you pricked yourself on the bone and sealed it with the blood.”
“You walk between realms of the dead and living. The world you’ve known, and the one that has remained hidden from you.”
“I certainly don’t want to fuck with the daughter of a death goddess.” A flash of the girl’s goddess-like
Zevander ground his teeth together, the question taking him back to that night, and the thousands of times since that he’d asked himself that very question.
“You couldn’t do it, could you? Something kept you from killing her.”
“I have seen the egg of this Corvugon. It’s with her.”
“Yes. However, this proves she is a descendant of the seven bloodlines. Only they would be permitted to cross so easily. Where is she now?”
A sound of disapproval followed. “Zevander.” “Zevander,” I echoed. “I’m Maevyth.”
“She was chased in the woods by a figure. The same one I saw when I ventured to the mortal lands. A man that looked more beast, with his antlers and hooves.”
“You believe it’s Cadavros.” It wasn’t a question. “In my visions, I imagined him returning from the very flame said to have consumed him. Summoned from death. But what if he hasn’t been consumed? What if he was simply denied his power? Stripped
“My brother. Cursed by the same sablefyre that resides in me.” The reflection of Branimir turned toward the mirror and hissed, showing a mouthful of sharpened teeth. Smaller black spiders rushed forward.
He killed her.
“It isn’t what you did, but what you possess, Maevyth.”
“You’re pests,” he said, his voice thick with repulsion. “Weak little rodents that infest and spread disease.” “Then, why did you save me, if I’m so loathsome? Why bring me back to your home?”
“Beg all you like.” He let out a sardonic chuckle. “I’d quite like to see you on your knees.”
He ground his teeth harder at the mention of her name, loathing the way it stirred a deep and pleasurable surge of blood to his cock.
such. “I don’t house prisoners, Lunamiszka.”
“You’re welcome to remove it, if you’d like.”
“My point is, I will never fall to my knees for you, or any man, in case that was your expectation.” “Never said it was.” He gave a quick glance over his shoulder. “I simply said I’d like to see it.”
“I’m an empath. My mother had the same glyph.” “You feel the emotions of others?” I asked, studying the symbol. “I absorb the emotions. But only when I want to. It’s a curse, really.” She sneered, curling her fingers over it.
“What is Corvikae?” “They are a race of mortals who existed here centuries ago.”
Perceived weakness is your most vicious weapon. Remember that, as it will serve as an advantage. You’re small, but your power can make up for your stature, if you learn to wield it well.”
“I mean, you are rude, sometimes. And grouchy. And extremely impatient.” I smiled when he frowned back at me. “But you’re a good teacher. I’ll give you that.”
“This bone is two thousand years old. It belonged to a woman named Verena.”
Something scratched my thighs, and I opened my eyes to find the humanoid creature resting his head in my lap, his thin, pale body curled into himself.
In that moment, he reminded me of a child. A sad and desperate child who longed for contact. As I sang, I lowered my hand toward his face, hesitating a moment. I stroked a gentle finger across his shoulder, and he startled, but didn’t move.
An angelic voice that strummed his soul. The most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.
It was then it occurred to him that something else pulsed through his veins, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had him feeling so unsettled. Beyond jealousy. Something deeper. Darker. Possessive.
Gaze lowered, she nibbled on her bottom lip, insufferably beautiful with her annoying little habits that seized his attention and left him wondering what she tasted like. If her lips were sweet, like berries, or bitter, like his liquor.
She was beautiful. No, beautiful was too weak a word. She was intoxicating. Exquisitely divine.
“You fell into caligorya. The darkspace. Interesting. Some never reach that state of mind.”
“In that space, resides the dark side of you.” It was Dolion who answered. “The creature that feeds on rage, vengeance, apathy. Every living thing possesses this darkness, whether they care to admit it, or not, but we are taught from a young age to suppress it. By going there, you are opening a door, of sorts, and if you’re not careful, it may be quite difficult to close it.”
I imagined him pulling me in for a kiss, his rough lips across mine, his strong hands at the small of my back.
“Yes. But it’s rather hard to describe. I felt like …” “Yes?” My cheeks burned, but the concerned face he’d made moments ago had me feeling like I should say something. “I felt like it was seducing me. The flame itself was pulling me toward something.”
And never had he felt the hum of excitement vibrating through his blood, as he had in that training room. Every nerve ending had sprung to life, desperate and eager to connect with every inch of her skin. The very thought of it, of her, had him breaking into a sweat all over again. Whatever poisonous spell she’d cast over him had stirred a dark and dangerous craving for more.
“Who could’ve predicted that one touch of your pounding pulse would be so disarming
“Consider that a kindness. My inclination is to break whatever stirs my impulsive nature.”
She’d laid down the gauntlet with that dress, daring him to indulge, but kissing her would’ve been the sweetest poison. An intoxicating elixir, as deadly as it was addicting.
“Should you decide to carry through with your threat, I’ll leave my balcony door unlocked.”
“Possessing a blade doesn’t make you a threat. It’s the mind which governs the weapon.”
