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“What if I was yours?”
“Don’t tell me something that will make me hate you.” “You already hate me, remember?”
I came to set eyes on the daughter who’d become the Turan queen. But then I saw you, and everything changed.” “What did you do?” “I decided to set you free.”
“You are not chained to Zavier.” “There’s a treaty somewhere on this continent that proves otherwise.” Ransom growled. “Who did you exchange vows with, Odessa?”
He splayed my fingers, spreading my hand wide. Then he held out his own to show a cut healed long ago. All that remained was a faint white line. Twin scars. The scars of a Sparrow. And her king. “With my blood,” he said. “With my oath spoken.”
“You are the crown prince. It was all a ruse.”
His eyes darkened, shifting to that forest green as he took my arms, keeping me on my feet. Pulling me close and into his chest. “You have always been my queen.”
And when I’m gone, you will be free. Your tie to me will be broken. Your life can be of your choosing.” He was going to set me free with his death.
“You lied to me.” “Yes.” “I hate you.” The lie came off my tongue, past my teeth, and for once, it sounded convincing. “Yes, you do.” Ransom tucked a curl behind my ear. Then left me alone.
Apparently, my anger amused my lying husband. The smirk I’d seen countless times stretched across his perfect mouth. That fucking smirk.
“Cross,” he warned. “I said enough.” “Draw your sword.” The hilt glinted over his shoulder.
I needed a way to choose a different Sparrow.” “The weaker daughter.”
“You are not a pawn, Odessa. Not to me. You are the Sparrow. You are my wife. You are the future queen of Turah.”
Ransom was my husband. There was no need to keep fighting my own feelings. I no longer needed to convince myself that he hadn’t stolen my heart.
Why give me hope only to rip it away? If Ransom died, I’d never be free. I would be left to mourn his ghost for the rest of my days.
At the man who I’d believed, down to my bones, wouldn’t hurt me. I guess I was a fool. “Why would you make me suffer losing you?”
“You are mine, Odessa.” It was a growl, more animal than human. And the shiver that cascaded down my spine might as well have been my own blades, cleaving me in two. Mine.
I’d trusted him. I’d believed in him. I’d begged and pleaded and bared myself to the core for him.
“Release me.” “No.” He dropped his forehead to my hair. “I hate you.”
“Why me?” “I told you. You are mine.”
Ransom cupped my jaw, his thumb catching the last tear. “I’m sorry, my queen.”
The world around us began to spin, fading into streaks of light and dark, until the colors blended together in a swirl of gray and white and black. Until the only color that remained was green. It was like that first breath after jumping off a cliff, plunging into the ocean, and breaking free from the surface to fill my lungs. It was like being remade.
“Odessa.” It hadn’t taken him long to master my name. I left before he could wield it like that sword he carried.
Damn him. He’d ruined me. Entirely. I hoped that wherever he was at the moment, he was miserable, too.
“You’re back,” I said. “Miss me, my queen?” Yes. “Not in the slightest.
“Ransom.” He smirked. “Odessa.” “I don’t like holding hands.” “How do you know? You’ve never held mine.”
“You’re a pain in my ass.” “So eloquent, my queen. Also, that’s my line.”
He jerked away, his hand flying open, fingers splayed wide. “Did I hurt you?” “I’m not made of glass.” “No, you’re not.”
By that point, I’ll be in mine, too.” “Stop saying shit like that,” I snapped. “Please.” Ransom exhaled, and the weariness on his face made me want to scream. He wasn’t dying. I refused to accept that fate.
“I cannot trust you with all of my truths, Odessa.” He stepped closer, his hand lifting to the hair at my temple. To a wild red curl that he twisted around a finger. “But I will give you as many as possible.”
“Forgive me, my queen. Please.”
The anxiety I’d been battling for a week vanished, and for the first time in days, I could take a full breath.
His gaze cut through the others, landing on me like he could sense me in the crowd. Like he was as linked to me as I was to him. His expression didn’t change.
Then he walked to me with long, purposeful strides. My belly fluttered. Shades, I’d missed him.
“Cross.” “Wolfe.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “Miss me?” “Never.” “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a horrible liar?”
“Are you all right?” “Yes, my queen.” He bowed. “Are you?” I am now.
Ransom’s sword was a blur of silver steel, stopping a whisper from the High Priest’s throat. “Let her go. Now.”
“It was mine,” he said. “When I was a boy. It’s not a fancy weapon, but it’s sharp. If anyone ever touches you against your will again, it will leave a mark.”
“I should leave.” “No.” “Rans—” “No.”
I’m not trying to trap you here, Odessa. But I need you to live. I won’t…” He dragged a hand over his face. “I have never been more scared than when I saw you run for that boy.”
“I don’t know what to do. I’m failing you. Do you really want to go back to Quentis? If you do, then say it. Tell me you want to leave, and I’ll take you back to Roslo myself.”
“No,” I whispered. His eyes drifted closed, his forehead dropping to mine. “Good. I have no desire to live in Quentis.” “Wh-what?” I leaned away. “You are mine.”
“Even if we are kingdoms apart, you are mine. But I’d rather not be a kingdom apart.”
“You can’t leave Turah.” “When I am nothing but dust and ash, Turah will endure. I do not need a crown. And I have made peace with my destiny. But before I step into my grave, my choice is you.”
My choice is you. I was his choice. Above all else.
Ransom was mine. Every flaw. Every perfection. “This is my choice.” I slid my palm into his.
“You. You are my choice.”
I leaned in, smiling against his mouth. “Stop asking questions, Ransom, and kiss your wife.” “Yes, my queen.” He grinned, then sealed his mouth over mine.
Like a husband who had loved his wife for an eternity. Dreaming. I was dreaming. “It’s real,” he murmured, slowing his pace as our gazes locked. It was real.
His arms banded around me, hauling me close as he rolled to his back, propping me on his chest. “You’ve ruined me.”
