Shield of Sparrows (Shield of Sparrows, #1)

by Devney Perry

wanted to be unshackled from everyone’s expectations for just one godsforsaken moment.

“Not her.” Margot blinked. “Excuse me?” “Her.” The Guardian’s eyes flicked in my direction, and the whole room followed his gaze. To me. “Prince Zavier will marry her,” he declared. “Tonight. As the bride prize for killing your marroweels.”

He might be a jackass, but at least he was handsome. There were worse things to behold at the end of a life than a nice face.

“Not all monsters are born from the gods, my queen. Some of us were made.”

Was that the point of this nighttime death march? To keep me in the dark? To shatter my internal compass? Not that it had ever been reliable, day or night. All I knew at this point was that the ocean was probably behind us. Maybe. It was a guess.

“Thanks,” I deadpanned. “And I was certain I wouldn’t earn any compliments today.” “Praise is for the bedroom, Cross. Not the training ring.”

My own mind had become my worst enemy.

He dropped a soft kiss to her mouth. It was tender. Beautiful. He loved her. She was his universe. At her side, he was home.

Tillia took my elbow to steer me to the dining hall. “Food first. Then books.”

“All rested.” She forced a smile and pointed to the stack of books I’d set on the bed. “Can I assume you’ll spend the rest of your day reading?”

I’d always been on my own. The only person I could count on to take my side, to see me, was me.

I’d let myself believe. There was a girl inside me who’d once found the courage to jump off a cliffside. That girl had been stifled and smothered. Hidden except for those stolen moments of bravery. It was time to let her stretch her wings and fly.

I smiled at Faze. “I guess I have a soft spot for monsters.”

glass. “You are the crown prince. It was all a ruse.” “Not all of it.” 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.”

“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.

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.

“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.”

“She is my life,” Ransom said.

Hot tears dripped to the dirt at my boots. “I love you.” “Yes, you do. Don’t forget.” “Never.” “Neither will I.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I will find you. Here, or in the shades.”